Steven Gerrard plays 45 minutes on Los Angeles Galaxy debut as MLS side beat Club America in International Champions Cup 

  • Steven Gerrard played 45 minutes on his Los Angeles Galaxy debut against Club America in Champions Cup
  • The former Liverpool midfielder produced a number of trademark cross-field passes and had two chances
  • He saw an effort blocked by the feet of Club America goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez after bursting into the box
  • Mexican visitors took an early lead through Darwin Quintero, but Robbie Keane equalised just before half-time
  • Alan Gordon header 10 minutes from time handed the Major League Soccer side a 2-1 victory
  • Gerrard will make his competitive debut on Friday against San Jose Earthquakes in MLS fixture 

By Adam Shergold

Published: 00:27 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 05:28 EST, 13 July 2015

Steven Gerrard completed 45 minutes on his Los Angeles Galaxy debut and helped them to a 2-1 victory over Club America in the International Champions Cup.

The former Liverpool captain impressed fans of his new team with a series of trademark cross-field passes and was influential in the attacking third, seeing a couple of chances saved.

It was an odd sensation seeing Gerrard in the colours of anyone else but Liverpool or England, but it soon became apparent that it was still the same star performer in the all-white of the Galaxy.

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Steven Gerrard shoots for goal on his Los Angeles Galaxy debut as the MLS side beat Club America 2-1 at the StubHub Center

Steven Gerrard shoots for goal on his Los Angeles Galaxy debut as the MLS side beat Club America 2-1 at the StubHub Center

The former Liverpool captain calls the shots from midfield during his 45-minute debut appearance in the International Champions Cup

The former Liverpool captain calls the shots from midfield during his 45-minute debut appearance in the International Champions Cup

Gerrard takes on Club America's Andres Andrade and attempts to play one of his trademark passes on his Galaxy debut

Gerrard takes on Club America's Andres Andrade and attempts to play one of his trademark passes on his Galaxy debut

Gerrard walks out at the StubHub Center to make his debut for the Galaxy, taking an unfamiliar position in the middle of the team line-up

Gerrard walks out at the StubHub Center to make his debut for the Galaxy, taking an unfamiliar position in the middle of the team line-up

Gerrard, still wearing the familiar No 8 shirt, grapples with Club America's Jose Daniel Guerrero as he attempts to win the ball

Gerrard, still wearing the familiar No 8 shirt, grapples with Club America's Jose Daniel Guerrero as he attempts to win the ball

The former England captain rises above Erik Pimentel of Club America as he attempts to meet a cross during his 45-minute debut

The former England captain rises above Erik Pimentel of Club America as he attempts to meet a cross during his 45-minute debut

Within minutes, he drew cheers and applause from the StubHub Center crowd with a couple of searching long balls with his right boot.

But his presence couldn't prevent the Mexican visitors from taking a seventh-minute lead when Darwin Quintero exchanged passes with Michael Arroyo before slotting the ball through the legs of Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe.

Gerrard's first opportunity in Galaxy colours came on 21 minutes when a purposeful run from midfield resulted in a powerful hit from the edge of the box that was blocked by Paolo Goltz. The ball was returned to the former England skipper from the left, but his left-footed volley went well wide.

Gerrard sets off on a purposeful forward run during his first-half appearance in the opening International Champions Cup fixture

Gerrard sets off on a purposeful forward run during his first-half appearance in the opening International Champions Cup fixture

Robbie Keane equalised for the Galaxy on the stroke of half-time and is congratulated by Gerrard shortly before the pair were taken off

Robbie Keane equalised for the Galaxy on the stroke of half-time and is congratulated by Gerrard shortly before the pair were taken off

The midfielder finds himself on the receiving end of a hefty challenge during his debut for the Galaxy

The midfielder finds himself on the receiving end of a hefty challenge during his debut for the Galaxy

There was an even better chance moments later when Gerrard timed his run into the box to perfection to receive a lay-off from Jose Villarreal, kept going and saw his low effort blocked by the feet of keeper Hugo Gonzalez.

Having survived a couple of Club America chances, the Galaxy equalised on the stroke of half-time through another familiar name in Robbie Keane.

The Republic of Ireland striker showed a deft touch to simultaneously control a long ball and take Gonzalez and defender Gil Buron out of the game before sliding the ball home.

Gerrard attempts to curl a shot towards goal despite defensive attentions - he wasn't able to mark his debut with a first goal for the club

Gerrard attempts to curl a shot towards goal despite defensive attentions - he wasn't able to mark his debut with a first goal for the club

Gerrard congratulated Robbie Keane after the Irish striker scored just before half-time to tie the match at 1-1

Gerrard congratulated Robbie Keane after the Irish striker scored just before half-time to tie the match at 1-1

Gerrard offers high-fives for young supporters wearing Liverpool shirts as he warms up ahead of the match

Gerrard offers high-fives for young supporters wearing Liverpool shirts as he warms up ahead of the match

Gerrard stretches during his pre-match warm-up routine as the Liverpool legend embarks on a new challenge 

Gerrard stretches during his pre-match warm-up routine as the Liverpool legend embarks on a new challenge 

Gerrard arrives at the stadium with Galaxy and Ireland striker Robbie Keane, who scored their first goal in the match

Gerrard arrives at the stadium with Galaxy and Ireland striker Robbie Keane, who scored their first goal in the match

Gerrard received a warm welcome from the Galaxy fans at a sold-out StubHub Center as a crowd of nearly 28,000 saw his debut

Gerrard received a warm welcome from the Galaxy fans at a sold-out StubHub Center as a crowd of nearly 28,000 saw his debut

Two Galaxy fans wearing Gerrard replica shirts arrive at the stadium for the International Champions Cup encounter

Two Galaxy fans wearing Gerrard replica shirts arrive at the stadium for the International Champions Cup encounter

A whole array of Gerrard merchandise was available for fans to purchase outside the stadium, including shirts and scarves

A whole array of Gerrard merchandise was available for fans to purchase outside the stadium, including shirts and scarves

NEXT UP FOR GALAXY 

July 14 Real Salt Lake (A) MLS Open Cup

July 17 San Jose Earthquakes (H) MLS

July 21 Barcelona (H) 

International Champions Cup

July 25 Houston Dynamo (A) MLS

August 1 Colorado Rapids (A) MLS

As anticipated, coach Bruce Arena took Gerrard off at half-time though his cameo certainly whet the appetite for the home fans.

Gerrard enjoyed more touches and played more passes than any other player during the first-half.  

And Galaxy duly claimed victory 11 minutes from time when Alan Gordon sent an excellent, looping header over Gonzalez after jumping to meet a right-wing Raul Mendiola cross.  

Asked how it felt making his Galaxy debut, Gerrard said: '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.'

On his fitness, Gerrard added: 'Physically, it was tough. 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 [in the US Open Cup match at Real Salt Lake] and be ready for the big game on Friday [against the San Jose Earthquakes].' 

Arena was impressed with Gerrard's first showing for the club.

He said: 'I think Steven played well and we're gonna 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.' 

Robbie Keane drew Galaxy level just before half-time with a simple finish following an excellent first touch to beat defender and keeper

Robbie Keane drew Galaxy level just before half-time with a simple finish following an excellent first touch to beat defender and keeper

Alan Gordon settled the contest 10 minutes from time when he rose above the Club America defence to loop home a header

Alan Gordon settled the contest 10 minutes from time when he rose above the Club America defence to loop home a header

 

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