Steven Gerrard secures 2-1 win in LA GALAXY

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.

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.

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.

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.'