Steven Gerrard showed that he’s more than capable of having a huge effect on the MLS after a classy 45 minute debut for LA Galaxy.
The Galaxy’s new signing started in central midfield in their 2-1 win over Mexican giants Club America in the International Champions Cup and his team-mates would have been impressed with how quickly Gerrard fitted into their system.
The former Liverpool captain was donning a shirt of a different club team for the first time in 27 years but it didn’t stop him producing much of the same from his time in the Premier League.
No player on the pitch during the first half had more touches or completed more passes than Gerrard. His long passing, especially, was of a very high standard as shown in the fifth minute when he raked a 50-yard pass right into the path of full-back Dan Gargan, who didn’t have to check his stride to control the pass.
It was one of four 40-yard or further passes that Gerrard completed in his 45-minute cameo as he quickly got onto the wavelength of his team-mates – something that can take months to master.
That understanding was on full show on 22 minutes when he linked up superbly with Jose Villarreal, whose flick was perfectly timed for a trademark Gerrard forward burst from midfield but it was just a shame he couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez with the finish.
His relationship with central midfield partner Juninho made for interesting viewing. Head coach Bruce Arena is particularly excited about the duo as a potential MLS force with Gerrard given licence to roam forward as Juninho is more of a holding player in front of the back-four.
You could perhaps argue that their lack of positional awareness played a small part in Club America’s opening goal when Carlos Quintero strode through the heart of the Galaxy defence unmarked but Arena was happy with what he saw from the pair.
He said: “Steven played well - his passing was very good and his partnership with Juninho was good.
“He won some tackles and help create some chances. He also could have had a goal but the goalkeeper made a great save, so it was very encouraging. He looked like he belonged and his leadership was really good.
“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."
As with all major transfers, the marketing men would have been keeping a close eye on how the Gerrard brand was going down in and around the stadium. A big tick can go in that box, according to Sky Sports News HQ reporter Vinny O’Connor, who is in LA following the Gerrard story.
He reported that the Galaxy hierarchy would have delighted with the reception that their marquee signing received from the 27,934 sell-out crowd at the StubHub Center stadium.
O'Connor said: “He was introduced to the fans at half-time last week against Toronto and he got the same reception here. The fans were shouting for him and asking for autographs. When the game kicked off the fans started chanting his name. Inside the StubHub Center, every kiosk is selling Gerrard merchandise. It’s really been an immense welcome for him.
“His debut went according to plan. He eased himself into the game gently and there is still bit of work to be done in that central midfield partnership with Juninho in terms of who goes and who stays as they operate in that 4-4-2.
"After that initial first 15 minute spell you could start to see more of the full range of Gerrard passing. He got more involved in the game and became more vocal, even with the referee at times.
“All-in-all it was a promising debut.”
Promising indeed. Next stop for Gerrard will be the San Jose Earthquakes next Saturday morning, where - barring no fitness issues – he’ll make his MLS debut.
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