By Chris Wright
Wearing his Liverpool shinpads under his socks, Steven Gerrard scored on his MLS debut as LA Galaxy spanked San Jose Earthquakes 5-2 at the Stubhub Centre.
After finding themselves 2-0 down after 25 minutes, Galaxy clawed one back through a Robbie Keane penalty before Gerrard popped up at the back post to sweep home the equaliser from 10 yards in the 37th minute.
Gerrard then provided an assist with a low free-kick as Keane pounced to put Galaxy 3-2 on the hour mark. Keane then completed his hat-trick with another penalty before a final goal from Sebastian Lletget completed the five-goal hammering.
Here’s Gerrard’s maiden goal for the Galaxy in dramatic super slow-motion…
Talking the to press after the game, Gerrard could barely contain himself.
“It was very pleasing to get off the mark. I’m starting to feel a little bit sharper, I’m very close to full fitness,” he beamed.
“[Galaxy coach] Bruce Arena was shouting ‘how you doing?’ from about 60 minutes but I was pretending I couldn’t hear him and kept looking away.
“I felt like a kid out there again. I didn’t want to come off – I want to play as much football as I can. One of the reasons why I’ve come to this team was to start all the games and play as many minutes as possible.
“I was determined not to become a squad player. I still feel like I’ve got energy, I still love the game, I’m enjoying training and I’m settling in pretty nicely.”
Full highlights…