Steven Gerrard has scored on his MLS debut as he helped Los Angeles Galaxy fight back from two goals down to beat San Jose Earthquakes.
The defending champions, who narrowly beat Club America in a friendly last week, found themselves behind on 22 minutes when Sanna Nyassi teed up Quincy Amarikwa for his first goal of the season.
Gerrard's MLS career was threatening to start with defeat when San Jose doubled their lead through another strike from Amarikwa soon after.
However, Galaxy began to fight back and were awarded a penalty for Tommy Thompson's foul on the ex-Liverpool captain. Robbie Keane scored from the spot to bring LA back into the game.
Gerrard then got Los Angeles back on terms when he sidefooted past David Bingham after the Earthquakes failed to clear a cross into the box.
The former England skipper continued to influence proceedings and was instrumental in giving the Galaxy the lead on 64 minutes as he teed up Keane for his second of the evening.
The Irish international then completed his hat-trick with his second spot kick of the evening before Sebastian Lletget added a fifth for Galaxy in stoppage time.
Chris O'Keefe
