CARSON, Calif. – Steven Gerrard will make his first start for his new club on Saturday when the LA Galaxy face Mexican side Club América in the International Champions Cup at StubHub Center.
Galaxy boss Bruce Arena told reporters on Friday that the 35-year-old Englishman will start the match and play 45 minutes against the Mexican side. With Gerrard having trained with the club for two weeks, Arena believes the time is right to give the veteran his debut.
“He’ll start the game,” Arena said on Friday. “We just want to bring him into the team. The players have to start getting used to him, and he’s got to get a feel for his teammates. We’re playing in our home stadium which is good as well. We’re just getting him started. It’s not like we’re throwing him to the wolves, he’s played in some games before. He’s ready.”
The past week has certainly been a whirlwind for Gerrard who has been in the public eye constantly since being unveiled to the Los Angeles media on Tuesday. After a week of talking about his move from Liverpool, the 35-year-old Englishman is eager to finally do his talking on the pitch.
“I’ve been excited since day one. I’ve been waiting for this moment, and it was quite frustrating watching the team against Toronto. I was pleased with the win but I was itching to join the boys,” Gerrard said. “I’ll get my opportunity tomorrow to play 45. I need those minutes for my fitness. Hopefully, in a couple of weeks’ time, I’ll be fit and ready to go.”
But what should Galaxy fans expect from Gerrard when he finally takes the field on Saturday?
“He’s passionate and he wants to win. I’m sure that he’s excited to put that Galaxy jersey on for his first game,” Galaxy captain Robbie Keane told reporters. “He’s an experienced player but he’s clever, and he knows that we’ve got bigger games coming up.”
Those “bigger games” will come quickly as the Galaxy face Real Salt Lake in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup at Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday, and will then return to StubHub Center for Gerrard’s first league match against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 17.
According to Gerrard, getting his debut out of the way against Club América will only help him once the games finally start to count.
“I spoke to the manager and he wants to build my minutes up with the idea that the first couple of games is to get used to the team and the team shape, and the way the players play,” Gerrard said. “With a big eye on the first league game next Friday for me to maybe be ready for 90 minutes, and go all guns blazing. It’s a big week and I’m excited.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
