Steven Gerrard made his competitive debut for the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night but the former Liverpool midfielder couldn’t stop his new side losing 1-0 to Real Salt Lake in the quarterfinal of the U.S. Open Cup.
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Aaron Maund, an unlikely hero, popped up to score the game-winner and although LA’s chances of winning the Open Cup were ended at Rio Tinto Stadium, Gerrard was pleased to continue his progress with the Galaxy and get more minutes under his belt.
Speaking to LA’s club website, here is what the 35-year-old English midfielder had to say.
“I walk away disappointed with the result. I move away with another 45 minutes out the locker room, so that will get me towards full fitness,” Gerrard said. “But I’m walking away with a cheeky smile, because I’m very happy with my feeling in the game I’m very confident moving forward.”
Gerrard came on at half time to play his second 45 minutes in an LA shirt following his debut against Club America last weekend. The former Liverpool man had two good looks at goal, as he sailed an effort over in the final 15 minutes which you would expect him to score.
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That said, Gerrard is happy despite the defeat and feels as if he is acclimating to his new surroundings after 17 years at Liverpool as a professional.
“It’s been a whirlwind change over the last week or two. I’m two weeks into a brand new challenge and a very big change and I’m still searching for 100 percent fitness, but I can feel it coming,” Gerrard said. “I’d be very frustrated and disappointed if I wasn’t getting chances while the chances are there. I know and have full belief in myself that them chances will sooner rather than later go in the back of the net… I’m strangely very happy at the moment. It’s given me a flavor of the MLS standard tonight, and I’m very confident that the goals and the assists and the dangerous play will come from me in the future.”
Gerrard will make his MLS debut for LA on Friday against the San Jose Earthquakes at the StubHub Center, with the California Clasico next up for Bruce Arena’s side.
