LA Galaxy 2 Club America 1
Steven Gerrard said it was a "great feeling" to make his LA Galaxy debut in the 2-1 friendly victory over Club America but admits it will take a while before his new fans get to see the best of him after a two-month break.
Gerrard was named in the Galaxy starting line-up for the opening match of the International Champions Cup clash against the Mexican outfit and played the first 45 minutes before being one of a raft of changes made by the MLS side at the interval.
It was Gerrard's first outing since bidding farewell to Liverpool in their 6-1 defeat to Stoke on the final day of the Premier League season on May 24, and he enjoyed the run out.
He also admitted, though, that he found it tough physically and pledged to get “better and better” the longer he spends with his new club.
Gerrard said on www.lagalaxy.com: “It was a great feeling. It was a difficult game and I thought [Club America] were very good.
“I thought after 15 or 20 minutes that the team settled really well, we played some good football and we got our deserved equaliser. For me personally, it was good to get 45 minutes under my belt and I’ll keep getting better and better and the more I get used to my team-mates, I’ll improve.”
When Gerrard made way the score was 1-1 – Ireland captain Robbie Keane showing superb control to cancel out Darwin Quintero's early opener for Club America – but the former Liverpool captain would end up a debut winner thanks to Alan Gordon's late header at StubHub Center.
The 35-year-old, who left Anfield this summer after more than 700 appearances for his home-town club, almost marked his debut with a 22nd-minute goal but, after bursting into the area, he saw his low left-footed shot blocked by Club America goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez.
Had that gone in it would have levelled the scores up at 1-1, with Club America having taken a seventh-minute lead through Quintero, who got in behind the Galaxy defence and fired through Brian Rowe’s legs to open the scoring.
As it was, it would be Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Keane who drew Galaxy level on the stroke of half-time with a memorable piece of skill.
The Republic of Ireland striker brilliantly pulled down a long pass forward from Juninho with his left foot and – with Gonzalez having been left in no man’s land after racing out in a bid to collect the through-ball – Keane immediately rolled his shot into a gaping net with his right from the edge of the box.
Both Keane and Gerrard made way at half-time as Galaxy coach Bruce Arena replaced all 10 of his outfield players for the second half.
Despite all those changes, defending MLS champions Galaxy still went on to win the game as striker Gordon rose highest at the far post to send a looping header into the net for an 80th-minute decider.
Galaxy are next in action on Tuesday in the Open Cup match at Real Salt Lake city before returning to MLS action against San Jose Earthquakes, and Gerrard is hoping to play a part in both games.
He added: “Physically, it was tough (against Club America). I haven’t played a competitive match for six or seven weeks so it was very important that I got out there and got 45 minutes. Hopefully I get some more minutes Tuesday and be ready for the big game on Friday.”
Galaxy boss Arena was impressed with Gerrard’s first showing but believes the ex-England midfielder is still a month away from being at full fitness.
He said: “I think Steven played well and we’re going to see how he feels tomorrow and Monday before we make a decision about how we’re going to approach the cup game
“His passing was very good, his partnership with Juninho was very good, he won some tackles, helped create some chances, could have a goal but the keeper made a great save.
“So his first time out was very encouraging, he looked like he belonged, his leadership was very good and I thought it was solid.
“He is probably about a month away from being fit enough to play a full match, it will take some games. It doesn’t come from training, he will have to play some matches and we will try to slowly build him into that, but what I could see tonight it was a good 45 minutes from him.”
