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Steven Gerrard inspires LA Galaxy comeback on debut against San Jose Steven Gerrard inspires LA Galaxy comeback on debut against San Jose
(35 minutes later)
Steven Gerrard has forged a legacy by picking his teams up off the canvas and driving them to unlikely victory. However, it was somewhat surprising to see this particular skillset called into action so early his MLS career.Steven Gerrard has forged a legacy by picking his teams up off the canvas and driving them to unlikely victory. However, it was somewhat surprising to see this particular skillset called into action so early his MLS career.
Two goals down against the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Clásico, it looked as if Gerrard’s league debut would offer little respite from the miserable and inauspicious end to his Liverpool career.Two goals down against the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Clásico, it looked as if Gerrard’s league debut would offer little respite from the miserable and inauspicious end to his Liverpool career.
This, just as the meek defeats to Crystal Palace and Stoke on his way out of Anfield, seemed unbefitting. Thankfully, for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the expectant sell-out crowd of 27,000, Gerrard has had quite enough of his big occasions being ruined.This, just as the meek defeats to Crystal Palace and Stoke on his way out of Anfield, seemed unbefitting. Thankfully, for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the expectant sell-out crowd of 27,000, Gerrard has had quite enough of his big occasions being ruined.
He scored the equaliser, made another for hat-trick hero Robbie Keane, and offered just a taste of the talents that made him such an irresistible Premier League force, as his new team ran out 5-2 winners.He scored the equaliser, made another for hat-trick hero Robbie Keane, and offered just a taste of the talents that made him such an irresistible Premier League force, as his new team ran out 5-2 winners.
Since arriving in Los Angeles, Gerrard has seemed a different man. Happy, unburdened and free. As he appeared on the big screen in the tunnel prior to kick off, the Galaxy faithful let out a roar. The new No8 allowed a slight grin to creep over his face, seemingly struggling to contain his excitement. The smile, so noticeably absent during a miserable final season at his boyhood club, was back.Since arriving in Los Angeles, Gerrard has seemed a different man. Happy, unburdened and free. As he appeared on the big screen in the tunnel prior to kick off, the Galaxy faithful let out a roar. The new No8 allowed a slight grin to creep over his face, seemingly struggling to contain his excitement. The smile, so noticeably absent during a miserable final season at his boyhood club, was back.
Once the ceremonial anthems and fireworks were out of the way, it was a rather quiet start. Lined-up behind lone-striker Keane, Gerrard was well marshalled and forced to drop deep to pick up the ball. Then, a torrid three-minute spell midway through the first half saw the home side surrender two goals, with poor defending gifting both goals to the journeyman striker Quincy Amarikwa. Once the ceremonial anthems and fireworks were out of the way, it was a rather quiet start. Lined up behind lone striker Keane, Gerrard was well marshalled and forced to drop deep to pick up the ball. Then, a torrid three-minute spell midway through the first half saw the home side surrender two goals, with poor defending gifting both goals to the journeyman striker Quincy Amarikwa.
Between the goals, watching Galaxy legends David Beckham and Landon Donovan appeared on the big screen, garnering probably the biggest cheer of the night least until that point. Between the goals, watching Galaxy legends David Beckham and Landon Donovan appeared on the big screen, garnering probably the biggest cheer of the night – at least until that point.
Things were not going well, but this was Gerrard’s well-trodden territory. Sensing the need, he immediately began driving his team forward with renewed vigour.Things were not going well, but this was Gerrard’s well-trodden territory. Sensing the need, he immediately began driving his team forward with renewed vigour.
On the half hour mark, his presence in the penalty area forced a handball, allowing Keane to pull one back from the spot.On the half hour mark, his presence in the penalty area forced a handball, allowing Keane to pull one back from the spot.
His first big Hollywood moment arrived on 37 minutes when as he tucked away a neat finish from 12 yards after the Earthquakes failed to clear Baggio Husidic’s cross. The big free agent signing wheeled away, celebrating his goal with the joy of a man liberated by his new surroundings. He thrust his fist towards the Galaxy faithful, who responded in kind.His first big Hollywood moment arrived on 37 minutes when as he tucked away a neat finish from 12 yards after the Earthquakes failed to clear Baggio Husidic’s cross. The big free agent signing wheeled away, celebrating his goal with the joy of a man liberated by his new surroundings. He thrust his fist towards the Galaxy faithful, who responded in kind.
Then, a trademark crunching-yet-fair tackle five-minutes before the break dislodged the boot and probably the pride of the San Jose centre-back Víctor Bernárdez. Then, a trademark crunching yet fair tackle five minutes before the break dislodged the boot and probably the pride of the San Jose centre-back Víctor Bernárdez.
As the second half got underway,Gerrard found much more freedom. He bombed forward with a familiar gallop and linking up more effectively with his teammates. As the second half got under way,Gerrard found much more freedom. He bombed forward with a familiar gallop and linking up more effectively with his team-mates.
For the large contingent of Liverpool fans, who had unfurled banners and sang his name outside the stadium prior to kick-off, this was an unshackled version of Gerrard they hadn’t seen in quite some time. For Galaxy fans, many of whom were meeting their new star player for the first time, this was a taste of what to expect.For the large contingent of Liverpool fans, who had unfurled banners and sang his name outside the stadium prior to kick-off, this was an unshackled version of Gerrard they hadn’t seen in quite some time. For Galaxy fans, many of whom were meeting their new star player for the first time, this was a taste of what to expect.
In the first-half Gerrard deferred had on set-pieces, but as the game went on, so did his influence. With his first free kick on 64 minutes he served up LA’s third goal as Keane prodded his low centre home for his second of the night. His second effort, a few minutes later curled against the crossbar from 25 yards. In the first half Gerrard had deferred on set-pieces, but as the game went on, so did his influence. With his first free-kick on 64 minutes he served up LA’s third goal as Keane prodded his low centre home for his second of the night. His second effort, a few minutes later curled against the crossbar from 25 yards.
Keane – who later admitted he had been “puking up all afternoon” – sealed the win, and his hat-trick, with his second spot kick of the night on 80 minutes, before the talented Sebastian Lletget wrapped things up just before the end.Keane – who later admitted he had been “puking up all afternoon” – sealed the win, and his hat-trick, with his second spot kick of the night on 80 minutes, before the talented Sebastian Lletget wrapped things up just before the end.
Indeed, perhaps the most promising sign for Galaxy fans – beyond Gerrard’s apparent fitness and energy levels – was the link-up play between the former Liverpool teammates. Gerrard and Keane had little chance to combine so effectively at Anfield, with the Irishman largely confined to the bench during a torrid and short-lived stay. Indeed, perhaps the most promising sign for Galaxy fans – beyond Gerrard’s apparent fitness and energy levels – was the link-up play between the former Liverpool team-mates. Gerrard and Keane had little chance to combine so effectively at Anfield, with the Irishman largely confined to the bench during a torrid and short-lived stay.
Six years on, the partnership finally looks set to flourish with the skipper Keane likely being the major beneficiary of Gerrard’s signing. Six years on, the partnership finally looks set to flourish with the skipper, Keane, likely being the major beneficiary of Gerrard’s signing.
This derby bore little resemblance to the tempestuous Merseyside affairs against Everton – of which Gerrard played in 33 – and he was withdrawn three minutes from time.This derby bore little resemblance to the tempestuous Merseyside affairs against Everton – of which Gerrard played in 33 – and he was withdrawn three minutes from time.
The rapturous, and probably pre-planned ovation (accompanied by a few screams from the California girls) was well deserved. The script had been followed.The rapturous, and probably pre-planned ovation (accompanied by a few screams from the California girls) was well deserved. The script had been followed.
On Friday night the talented screenwriter, who seemingly penned so much of Gerrard’s storybook Anfield career before cruelly abandoning him at the end, was back at his side again. But then this is LA, and they sure do love a comeback story in this town.On Friday night the talented screenwriter, who seemingly penned so much of Gerrard’s storybook Anfield career before cruelly abandoning him at the end, was back at his side again. But then this is LA, and they sure do love a comeback story in this town.