Gerrard wins in debut as LA Galaxy storm back to edge Club América

LA Galaxy beat Club América, 2-1 in the opening match of the International Champions Cup on Saturday, but few will remember the result in the coming years.

However, the date will stick in the fans' minds: This was the day that Steven Gerrard put on a Galaxy uniform and brought a bit more accuracy and flair to the LA midfield.

Never mind that the game seemed to be played in the Estadio Azteca, América's home stadium, instead of StubHub Center due to the thousands of rabid fans that came out to support the Eagles. Forget about the freshly branded No. 8 Los Angeles Galaxy jerseys and the hundreds of Liverpool jerseys and scarves from a time gone by.

This game was about the new Stevie G, and if this game was any indication, he will be a hit in MLS once he settles in.

"Steven played well," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "His passing was very good. His partnership with Juninho was good. Won some tackles, helped create some chances. Could have had a goal, so his first time out was very encouraging. He looked like he belonged."

Gerrard never really has been a player to take the game right to the opponents with a flashy pass. He usually sits back, feels for the flow of the game, lets it come to him and uses his superior touch and control to change the way his team attacks.

This was the case Saturday, as he often let his teammates run beyond him, playing at the base of the midfield and spraying balls towards the flanks for his teammates to run on to. But it was clear that the America players knew of this strategy and immediately closed down runners as soon as they reached the attacking third.

The Galaxy defenders were not as vigilant early on, gifting Las Aguilas multiple early opportunities before finally being punished in the seventh minute. Todd Dunivant was a few steps below his defensive line and Darwin Quintero took notice, dribbling between Dunivant and Leonardo before nutmegging Brian Rowe for the game's opening goal.

That goal seemed to wake up the Galaxy's offense and it started attacking with vigor, using the wide players to fire in crosses to test America's Hugo Gonzalez. Gerrard also become more involved on the offensive end, driving at Gonzalez and seeing one of his shots narrowly saved.

But it was LA's other international superstar that drew the hosts level. Robbie Keane received a long ball, controlled it with his left boot, dragged it right and slotted it past a helpless Gonzalez for the equalizer.

"It was a great feeling," Gerrard said. "It was a difficult game and I thought (Club América) 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 equalizer. 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 teammates, I'll improve."

The rest of the game didn't lacked the same excitement that the first 45 produced. A few handball cries were uttered and a couple petulant fouls on both sides broke up the game for long periods of time. The home side fielded almost an entirely different eleven in the second half and it showed.

Long spells of possession turned to nothing and many close opportunities went begging, but there were many positives on the night. A sell-out crowd 27,924 came to see Gerrard's first game in Galaxy colors, while Bradford Jamieson IV, who was last seen being carted off the pitch in the U-20s World Cup, returned to action.

Alan Gordon even provided the Hollywood ending in the final 10 minutes. Gordon rose over two defenders at the back post and headed Raul Mendiola's inviting cross of the far post and into the net.

Gordon's winner rounded off the night in style, but the result will hardly figure in Galaxy fans' heads. América hadn't played a competitive game in nearly two months and the Galaxy starters — those not gone to the Gold Cup and who played more than 45 minutes — are in midseason form.

But the clever flicks, dribbles and control of Gerrard will be giving LA fans dreams of what a potent Gerrard-Keane-Gyasi Zardes combination could be capable of when Gerrard fully acclimatizes to MLS. On this evidence, the Galaxy have their new Beckham.

"Physically, it was tough," Gerrard said. "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."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.