There were more than a few familiar aspects to Steven Gerrard’s last appearance on a Major League Soccer pitch. Not for the first time, he stroked home a penalty past Tim Howard as the LA Galaxy vied with the Colorado Rapids for a place in the Western Conference final. And again, not for the first time, the 36-year-old finished a shoot-out on the losing side. It was an appropriate way for Gerrard to bring this stint of his career to a close.
Of course, that isn’t reflective of the glittering 18-year career Gerrard has enjoyed, during which he hoisted the Champions League (among other trophies) and captained England at a World Cup, but MLS fans won’t remember him in the same way the Anfield faithful will. In truth, the midfielder’s North American jaunt only underlined his decline. Gerrard will surely one day admit regret over the move.
On the face of it, Gerrard never fully committed to his MLS task. He spoke of seeking a more relaxed lifestyle in California upon signing from Liverpool last year, doing little to dispel the familiar slights that MLS is little more than a retirement home for aging European stars. He took a job as a television pundit on top of his responsibilities as an LA Galaxy player. What’s more, the job was in England with BT Sport, meaning sapping trans-Atlantic flights every few weeks. Gerrard couldn’t have been too bothered about the laid-back lifestyle he supposedly wanted.
While David Beckham and Robbie Keane were embraced by the Galaxy and MLS, Gerrard was an unfortunate scapegoat for some. He might have been a big name but he was very rarely a big player for the Carson club. There were hints of his pedigree at times, most notably during a summer spurt that saw Gerrard assist on four straight Galaxy goals, but his inconsistencies were reflective of the team’s as a whole. They never quite found their groove together.
It’s somewhat unfair that after such an illustrious and successful career Gerrard has been depicted by some as a tragic figure. In the same way Zinedine Zidane is remembered in some quarters for his red card in the 2006 World Cup final for a chest-butt, Gerrard has been immortalised in meme and gif form as the player whose slip effectively cost Liverpool their first league title in 24 years. It’s an image he struggled to shake off in MLS. He was a figure of derision for some.
Well past his best, it’s true that Gerrard never truly belonged at the LA Galaxy. At the the least, he was a misfit, struggling to find a role in a side that was frequently better without him. Whether he bought into MLS or not, regardless of all other factors, the 36-year-old never demonstrated his true ability Stateside.
Although Gerrard can hardly be blamed for the troubles the Galaxy faced since his arrival in the summer of 2015. Bruce Arena arguably had the greatest squad ever assembled by a MLS club at his disposal, but he couldn’t find the right shape to make the most of it. Gerrard’s stint with the league’s most successful franchise became synonymous with underachievement.
Now, with Gerrard gone, the Galaxy can rebuild. The club have enjoyed great success in recent years, winning three MLS Cups in four years between 2011 and 2014, but this current generation has run its course. Rejuvenation is needed and the rumour mill has already started to churn out names of those who could be targeted to help achieve that transformation during the off-season. The Galaxy have been in a state of transition for some time, but now they can finally start anew.
The statement released by Gerrard upon news of his LA Galaxy exit conveyed a certain chagrin over the way his time in MLS unfolded. “When I left Liverpool, I came to Los Angeles with the goal of helping the Galaxy lift another MLS Cup,” he said. “I am of course disappointed to have not achieved that objective, but I can look back at my time at the club with pride at what we accomplished, including two straight playoff appearances and countless memorable moments on the pitch.”
Gerrard says he is now considering the next stage of his career, with some suggesting he may do as Beckham did when he left the LA Galaxy by joining a top European club for a swansong. Celtic, where Brendan Rodgers is now the manager, have been mentioned as a possible destination.
Another option would see Gerrard become a member of the Liverpool coaching staff, which is perhaps what he should have done 18 months ago rather than embarking on an assignment he never seemed truly sold on. Gerrard, still regarded a legend at Anfield, would have more to offer Jürgen Klopp and the Reds than he ever did the LA Galaxy.
His initial farewell, posted to Instagram on Monday, provided an insight into the midfielder’s true sentiment over his MLS stint. “Special place incredible view I will miss you LA #lalaland,” he posted, accompanying picture showing him in front of a spectacular Los Angeles skyscape. There was no mention of the LA Galaxy, just the city they play in. That’s what Gerrard really came for, and that’s what he’s really leaving.
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