Former England captain Steven Gerrard was pleased to get some game time as he made his debut for his new club LA Galaxy on Saturday.
Gerrard, who moved to MLS after his Liverpool contract expired last month, featured for 45 minutes as the Galaxy enjoyed a 2-1 friendly victory over Club America in their opening International Champions Cup clash.
“It was good to get 45 minutes under my belt.”
Steven Gerrard LA Galaxy
However, the 35-year-old admits it will take a while before LA fans will see the best of him after nearly two-months without a game.
"It was a great feeling. It was a difficult game and I thought [Club America] were very good," Gerrard told www.lagalaxy.com.
"I thought after 15 or 20 minutes that the team settled really well, we played some good football and we got our deserved equaliser.
"For me personally it was good to get 45 minutes under my belt and I'll keep getting better and better. The more I get used to my team-mates, I'll improve."
Galaxy play again on Tuesday in their US Open Cup quarter final encounter with Real Salt Lake City before returning to MLS action against San Jose Earthquakes on Friday.
Gerrard lines up with new team-mates including former-Red Robbie Keane
And the ex-Anfield skipper wants to play a part in both matches.
"Physically, it was tough. I haven't played a competitive match for six or seven weeks so it was very important that I got out there and got 45 minutes.
"Hopefully I get some more minutes Tuesday and will be ready for the big game on Friday."
Gerrard played for the first half of the victory as Robbie Keane's superb touch and finish cancelled out Darwin Quintero's early opener for Club America. Alan Gordon's header sealed victory at StubHub Center near the end.
Galaxy boss Bruce Arena was impressed with Gerrard's first outing but believes he is still a few weeks away from full fitness.
“His first time out was very encouraging.”
Bruce Arena LA Galaxy manager
He said: "I think Steven played well and we're going to see how he feels tomorrow and Monday before we make a decision about how we're going to approach the cup game.
"His passing was very good, his partnership with Juninho was very good, he won some tackles, helped create some chances, could have a goal but the keeper made a great save.
"So his first time out was very encouraging, he looked like he belonged, his leadership was very good and I thought it was solid."
Arena added: "He is probably about a month away from being fit enough to play a full match, it will take some games.
"It doesn't come from training, he will have to play some matches and we will try to slowly build him into that.
"But what I could see tonight it was a good 45 minutes from him."
