Steven Gerrard has finally figured out the simple trick to solving L.A. traffic.
“Just gotta get on to it,” the English midfielder said with a laugh Thursday, exactly one year after his first press conference at StubHub Center as a member of the Galaxy.
With 12 months of his 18-month contract with the Galaxy done, Gerrard has found comfort on and off the pitch, traffic notwithstanding. Entering Saturday’s afternoon game against Seattle at CenturyLink Field, the 36-year-old has two goals and seven assists in 12 MLS games played. In 13 games last year, he recorded two goals and only three assists.
“I think a happy footballer and a settled footballer can play well and find consistency,” Gerrard said. “If you’re smiling around the place and you’re settled on and off the pitch, it helps with your job on the pitch. I’m really happy, I’m content, I’m settled. I’m enjoying my football and we’re on the back of a big win.”
L.A. snapped a seven-game MLS winless streak on July 4 with a 2-0 victory against Vancouver at home. Gerrard excelled in the game, assisting both Galaxy goals and earning MLS Team of the Week honors. It was the second straight game he recorded an assist and it didn’t come by accident.
In a recent conversation with Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, the duo agreed it would be best to play Gerrard higher in the attack. With Jeff Larentowicz and Nigel de Jong available to take care of defensive duties in the midfield, Gerrard was free to push forward in the attack.
“He’s a player who is capable of delivering the final ball, finishing off plays,” Arena said of the decision to move Gerrard forward. “Pretty simple.”
De Jong picked up a red card against the Whitecaps and will be suspended for Saturday’s game, but Gerrard could still remain in his higher position with just Larentowicz behind him, Arena said.
Playing a critical part in the attack is natural for the former Liverpool captain. Gerrard scored 186 goals for the Reds across all competitions. His time in L.A. started in similar fashion as he scored a goal and notched an assist in his MLS debut.
But the tolls of MLS life weighed on him throughout the 2015 season as he adjusted to living outside of Liverpool for the first time in his life. He was caught in a defensive miscue in the Galaxy’s first-round playoff loss to Seattle that ended their season on a rainy October night at CenturyLink Field.
A year later, Gerrard will return to Seattle as the No. 3 assist man in MLS. He’s second in the league for assists per 90 minutes played (0.74).
“I don’t want to settle for that,” Gerrard said. “I want to keep pushing and keep trying to add to my numbers. Certainly in this position, I know I can create chances. I’ve done it all my career.”
The transition period is over, Gerrard said. He understands his teammates and they understand him. He struck a near-instant connection with forward Mike Magee this season after Magee returned to L.A. through free agency. Gerrard has assisted three of Magee’s five goals this year.
“I’ve always done well with English guys on the Galaxy,” Magee said smiling. “First it was Becks (David Beckham), now it’s him. When guys of their quality get the ball, just get open, and they get it to you. It’s real simple.”
L.A. Galaxy at Seattle Sounders
Kickoff: 12 p.m. at CenturyLink Field
TV/Radio: ESPN/LAGalaxy.com, ESPN Deportes
Update: Midfielder Nigel de Jong is suspended for a red card he received against Vancouver. It will be the fourth game he’s missed this season due to suspension. Defenders Ashley Cole (red card) and Jelle Van Damme (yellow card accumulation) are slated to return from their one-game suspensions. … The Galaxy (6-3-8) are in fourth place in the Western Conference with 26 points. Seattle (5-9-2) is ninth with 17 points and has only four combined points in its past seven games (1-5-1).
