CARSON, Calif. – Steven Gerrard is hitting his stride.
The 36-year-old notched two assists in the team’s 2-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Monday to bring his tally to seven this season. After struggling to find form last season, Gerrard has compiled two goals to pair with his seven assists.
Just why has Gerrard done so well? He owes his success to a recent conversation between him and Galaxy boss Bruce Arena.
“Bruce Arena, he's trusting me further up the pitch, that the key. I told him, play me closer to Robbie Keane and the attacking players and I'll make plays on the final third, simple, I've done it all my career,” Gerrard said after the Galaxy’s win on Monday. “I can't make plays from the edge of my box, so play me closer to the opposition goal, and I'll try and get goals and try and create goals.”
As the Galaxy move into a packed July schedule, Arena expects even more from his veteran English midfielder.
“The first pass into Robbie for the first goal was good. He hits good set pieces,” Arena said. “As he gets fitter and we get a little bit more coordinated and in a better rhythm as a team in the attacking part of the field he’s going to produce some numbers. He’ll get some goals and more assists. But [Monday], Steven did a good job, he really did.”
