CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 2016 was a tumultuous one filled with brilliant goals and frustrating moments for Bruce Arena’s men, ultimately ending in a penalty kick shootout defeat in the Western Conference Semifinals.
As we look back on 2016, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will provide a review of each position. The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with goalkeepers and then move up the field to defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Several select players will also have their own review, based on the number of appearances made.
STEVEN GERRARD
GP: 24 (21 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 20 (18 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 3
A: 11
HIGHLIGHTS:
Despite repeated injuries, Steven Gerrard still enjoyed a relatively productive season in his final year with the Galaxy.
Gerrard ended the season with three goals and 11 assists which were the highest marks of his Galaxy career. The total of 36-year-old’s goals and assists were scored before Aug. 13 before he was struck down by a hamstring injury.
The Englishman’s finest game of his 2016 season – and arguably his Galaxy career—when he was instrumental in the team’s 2-2 draw with New York Red Bulls in August. Gerrard ended the match with two assists including an assist on Ashley Cole’s dramatic equalizer.
After departing the Galaxy in November, Gerrard announced his retirement from professional soccer a week later. Gerrard’s announcement officially ended the career of one of the most accomplished midfielders of his generation.
LOWLIGHTS:
Steven Gerrard’s final season with the LA Galaxy will be defined by what didn’t happen for the Englishman.
Struck down by injury time and time again, the Englishman was unable to reach his full potential and was limited to just 24 appearances across all competitions in what became the final season of his career. The injuries particularly limited him toward the end of the season as he made just three appearances—and only one start—in the final three months of the season.
Gerrard’s last start for the Galaxy—and his career—took place on Oct. 1 when he started in central midfield in the club’s 1-0 defeat to FC Dallas. The match was a difficult one for the veteran who found himself overmatched by the faster Dallas midfield that controlled the tempo and ultimately beat the Galaxy.
The Englishman ended the season with a cameo in the Galaxy’s Western Conference Semifinal penalty kick defeat to the Colorado Rapids. Gerrard notched his penalty, but the Galaxy fell to the Rapids, ending their season and the Englishman’s career.
OVERVIEW:
Steven Gerrard’s tenure with the LA Galaxy began with excitement but ended in disappointment.
Limited by injury, Gerrard ended his time with the Galaxy making just 34 appearances, scoring five goals and 14 assists in regular season play. When Gerrard was on his game, he was one of the more dominant midfielders in MLS, but too often, he was unable to make an impact due to injury or ineffectiveness.
Ultimately, Gerrard’s Galaxy career will be judged in the team’s two early postseason exits that saw the club out of the playoffs before Thanksgiving.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
