@naijapost247Steven 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. see more pics of Gerard playing for his new club....
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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.
Steven Gerrard shoots for goal on his Los Angeles Galaxy debut as the MLS side beat Club America 2-1 at the StubHub Center
The former Liverpool captain calls the shots from midfield during his 45-minute debut appearance in the International Champions Cup
Gerrard takes on Club America's Andres Andrade and attempts to play one of his trademark passes on his Galaxy debut
Gerrard walks out at the StubHub Center to make his debut for the Galaxy, taking an unfamiliar position in the middle of the team line-up
Gerrard, still wearing the familiar No 8 shirt, grapples with Club America's Jose Daniel Guerrero as he attempts to win the ball
The former England captain rises above Erik Pimentel of Club America as he attempts to meet a cross during his 45-minute debut
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.
Gerrard sets off on a purposeful forward run during his first-half appearance in the opening International Champions Cup fixture
Robbie Keane equalised for the Galaxy on the stroke of half-time and is congratulated by Gerrard shortly before the pair were taken off
The midfielder finds himself on the receiving end of a hefty challenge during his debut for the Galaxy
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 in anticipation for his Major League Soccer debut at home to the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday, though his cameo certainly whet the appetite for the home fans.
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.
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