NYCFC humiliated by LA Galaxy in 5-1 rout

Gerrard tried to play down the focus on his personal duel with Lampard and says there will be no room for sentiment.

Promotional posters for Sunday’s game styled the contest as a boxing bout, billing the meeting as “The British Invasion” and featuring Gerrard and Lampard set against the background of a Union flag. We’ve always got on off the pitch regardless of what other people say.

The Galaxy almost scored a sixth goal in the waning minutes, but Keane and Gerrard were left laughing after they repeatedly passed to each other near the goal without shooting.

The build-up to the game had been dominated by the prospect of Gerrard and former Chelsea favourite Frank Lampard facing each other again in the MLS. Keane had multiple goals in three of his last six MLS matches, Dos Santos has registered a goal or an assist in his first four games against all competition, and Gerrard has gone a total of 90 minutes in the midfield in his last three MLS games.

“If Frank plays from the beginning or he comes on, we become enemies”. When the whistle goes to finish there’s a mutual respect there. “I’m playing for the [CONCACAF] Champions League now to win, so I’m very happy with my teammates and the level of my team”. We’re both winners we’re both professional.

Gerrard and Lampard have faced each other on 33 occasions, with Lampard winning 15 to 11.

Though New York grabbed a mere consolation from the penalty spot through David Villa, Keane put the icing on the cake with his second of the game five minutes from time. Gerrard said it was “a fact” that the Irishman is the best striker in MLS.

“For sure”, said Gerrard. “So it has surprised me and it is better than I thought”. “The level’s a lot stronger than what people’s opinions’ suggested before I came”. I’m not really interested in anyone else’s team.