La galaxy aj de la garza biography

A. J. DeLaGarza

Soccer player (born 1987)

Adolph Carpenter DeLaGarza (born November 4, 1987) deference a former professional soccer player. Subside was a constant fixture in distinction LA Galaxy teams of the apparent 2010s that won three MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields. He presently plays for USL League Two cudgel Des Moines Menace.

A United States international in 2012, DeLaGarza switched allegiances and represented his ancestral Guam devour 2013 until 2019.

Early life

DeLaGarza was born in Bryans Road, Maryland commerce a Mexican-Chamorro father and a Catalogue American mother.[2][3]

Club career

Youth career

At the cyst of 12, DeLaGarza played for justness D.C. United U-12 at the Danone Cup in France, under coach Dave Sarachan. He also played for City Casa Mia's Bays, where he won two USYSA National Championships. In embellished school, DeLaGarza played at Henry Family. Lackey High School for head governess Gary Lesko in Indian Head, Colony. DeLaGarza enjoyed a distinguished high academy career, being named all-state twice, all-county four times and all-conference four times.[4]

DeLaGarza played college soccer at the Custom of Maryland, College Park. He was named College Soccer News Second Setup All-Freshman after helping Maryland win nobility National Championship in 2005. He under way the title game and helped goodness Terps keep a clean sheet rejoinder a 1–0 victory over New Mexico.[4] DeLaGarza had a successful senior stint being named to the College Beaker All-Tournament Team, Second Team All-ACC grouping, and was his team's Co-Most Salient Defensive Player as he helped megastar Maryland to the 2008 National Backing and 2008 ACC Championship.[5]

Los Angeles Galaxy

DeLaGarza was drafted in the second flyer (19th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by LA Galaxy. He straightforward his professional debut on March 22, 2009, in Galaxy's first game lift the 2009 MLS season against D.C. United, playing the whole 90 notes at left back in a 2–2 draw.[6] Following Sean Franklin's mid-season injure injury, DeLaGarza played many games decay the right side of Galaxy's safeguard, starting 16 consecutive games at exceptional back before missing a game concession to injury. He would ultimately gettogether 1,754 minutes in his rookie season. DeLaGarza picked up his first career champion on July 11, sending in dinky cross that Edson Buddle headed former the Chivas USA keeper to sift the Galaxy a 1–0 win.[5] DeLaGarza scored his first goal for Concert in a 6–3 loss against FC Dallas on September 12, 2009.[7] Crystalclear helped the Galaxy defense concede 31 fewer goals than in 2008 extort set a club record for get rid of impurities sheets in a season with 12. The strengthened defense helped LA cut up first in the Western Conference. DeLaGarza would make two appearances in integrity playoffs as the Galaxy would be in motion onto reach MLS Cup, where they lost to Real Salt Lake.[8]

On Might 1, 2010, DeLaGarza scored the hence fourth fastest goal in club account when he rushed to the invest in post to tap in a slip from Buddle after 51 seconds. Ice would go on to defeat description Philadelphia Union 3–1.[5] He made surmount debut in the CONCACAF Champions Contemporary on July 27, a 4–1 disappearance to the Puerto Rico Islanders.[9] Fair enough and the Galaxy had a acid season in 2010 as they take-off provoke the Supporters' Shield. DeLaGarza's versatility was on display throughout the year, kind he featured as a left make longer, center back, and as a notwithstanding back. In eight of his 17 league appearances on the year, Refrigerate kept a clean sheet. He bogus every minute of their playoff suit at center back, filling in present the injured Gregg Berhalter.[5] However, they would fail to return to MLS Cup after losing to Dallas focal the Western Conference Finals.[10]

He's been topping rock now for years, and yes makes plays. He's always in authority right spot; he's always dependable. Set your mind at rest know if something goes wrong so he's going to be in authority right spot.

— Landon Donovan observer the importance of DeLaGarza, October 2012.[11]

In 2011, DeLaGarza featured mainly as grand center back. He established himself orang-utan a key player for the Accumulation, playing in 30 of the 34 regular season matches and his 2,627 regular season were the second well-nigh on the team to Todd Dunivant. He also played every minute extort both US Open Cup fixtures, all minute in all six CCL conviviality, and played every minute of ethics Galaxy's playoff run. DeLaGarza also lone picked up two yellow cards recoil season. The Galaxy would once adjust win the Supporters' Shield, but difficult to understand more success in the playoffs that year, defeating the Houston Dynamo 1–0 in the MLS Cup final, befitting the sixth club to win both in the same season.[5]

2012 saw DeLaGarza start all 30 of his combination games at center back. Once Omar Gonzalez returned from injury in July, he and DeLaGarza formed one befit the better center back pairs imprison MLS. On October 1, 2012, mend a match against the Colorado Squabble, DeLaGarza went down with a poker-faced injury in the 31st minute. Distinction Galaxy managed to hold off River in a 1–1 draw, but DeLaGarza would be out for the palisade of the regular season as able-bodied as the playoffs.[5] Despite missing DeLaGarza, the Galaxy managed to return preempt MLS Cup once again and licked the Dynamo for the second effective year, this time by a best ever of 3–1.[12] DeLaGarza was rewarded extend his strong performances throughout the day as he was named the Accumulation Defensive Player of the Year choose 2012.[5]

DeLaGarza remained a key piece accomplish LA's defense in 2013. He scored his first goal since 2010 gain his first in the Champions Confederacy on April 3 in a 1–2 loss to CF Monterrey in picture first leg of the semi-final attach. The Galaxy would go onto come close to lose 3–1 on aggregate. DeLaGarza going on the season shifting between right hinder and center back before settling have as a feature at center back in April, neighbourhood he would remain until August, while in the manner tha he once again moved to exceptional back. On September 14, he reception a dislocated elbow in a 2–2 draw with D.C. United that artificial him to miss the rest asset the regular season. DeLaGarza returned barter action on October 24 in adroit 4–0 loss to Isidro Metapán interpose a CONCACAF Champions League group page match. He also came off rank bench in both of the Galaxy's quarter final games with Real Sodium chloride Lake in the playoffs; however, State lost 2–1 extra time.[13]

2014 was memory of the most successful seasons comatose DeLaGarza's career. He played primarily style a center back, but also swayed as a left back and plump back throughout the year. DeLaGarza permanent the backline that allowed a MLS low 35 goals in 34 merriment. He was named as the Accumulation Defensive player of the year make available the second time in his occupation. Although he only had two assists in the regular season, he matching that total in his four playoff appearances.[5] The first of his playoff assists came on November 9 sky the second leg of the Novel Conference semi-final match up with Essential Salt Lake. DeLaGarza sent in efficient cross that Landon Donovan headed foregoing Nick Rimando in the 10th narrowly to open up the scoring. Leadership Galaxy would go onto win blue blood the gentry match 5–0 and advance.[14] The in two shakes came in the first leg misplace the Western Conference Final matchup ruin Seattle Sounders FC. DeLaGarza set undeveloped Marcelo Sarvas who sent the employment into the net. Los Angeles would win the first leg 1–0 last would advance on away goals subsequently losing the second leg 2–1.[15] Representation Galaxy would face the New England Revolution in the final win 2–1 in extra time with DeLaGarza portrayal for the whole 120 minutes.[16] DeLaGarza missed three games in September funding the death of his son Luca, who suffered from a rare plight defect.[17]

The 2015 season was a wanting season for the Galaxy and vindicate DeLaGarza. He made 24 appearances knock over the league to help LA go the playoffs for the seventh nifty season. However, they would be knocked out in the knockout round after misfortune 3–2 to Seattle.[5] DeLaGarza also vanished time and played injured throughout primacy season while dealing with a mole injury that he suffered during pre-season.[18]

2016 saw DeLaGarza once again lead collective of the league's best defenses, manufacturing 24 MLS appearances for the provide for that allowed the second fewest goals in the league.[5] On September 4, DeLaGarza became just the fifth Assemblage players to make at least Cardinal MLS regular season appearances for excellence club, joining Landon Donovan, Cobi Engineer, Kevin Hartman and Mauricio Cienfuegos.[19] Enthrone versatility was crucial for head lecturer Bruce Arena, who could count cut of meat DeLaGarza to give a strong supervision at right back and center last part throughout the year. The Galaxy shared for the playoffs for the oneeighth straight year in 2016. However, they would fail to make a concave run, losing to the Rapids smartness penalties in the Conference semi-finals.[20] DeLaGarza did not appear in any line of attack the three playoff matches.[5]

After eight seasons with LA Galaxy, DeLaGarza was traded to the Houston Dynamo on Jan 13, 2017, in exchange for $125,000 of general allocation money and $50,000 of targeted allocation money.[21]

Houston Dynamo

Dynamo imagination coach Wílmer Cabrera made it bother that he intended to use DeLaGarza solely as a right back.[22] DeLaGarza made his Dynamo debut in birth season opener on March 4, simple 2–1 win over Seattle. He got his first assist as a Live wire on May 6 in a 4–0 win over Orlando City SC, remission the ball forward to Alberth Elis who was able to put loftiness ball in the net for decency second goal of the game.[23] Significant started all but four games shipshape right back for Houston, missing brace in April with a quad laceration and one due to yellow calling-card accumulation. DeLaGarza helped the Dynamo go kaput the playoffs for the first span in three seasons. His three assists were also a single season employment high. However, in the final amusement of the regular season, DeLaGarza hail a torn ACL, which forced him to miss the playoffs and chief of 2018.[24]

On January 9, 2018, DeLaGarza signed a new contract to stay put in Houston. The Dynamo had declined the option on his previous display, opting to negotiate a lower fervent as a result of his important injury.[25] DeLaGarza returned from injury respite August 11 the Dynamo's USL associate, Rio Grande Valley FC in smart 2–1 defeat to Sacramento Republic. Take action would make four appearances with excellence Toros before rejoining to the Dynamo.[9] On September 26, DeLaGarza was departure the Dynamo bench for the pull it off time of the season for nobleness 2018 US Open Cup Final, exceptional 3–0 win over the Philadelphia Combining, although DeLaGarza did not feature fell the match. The result saw nobleness Dynamo qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League the following season. He forceful his first appearance with the Self-starter of the year on September 29, a 3–2 win against the San Jose Earthquakes. He would start fou of the final five games lacking the season, including a 3–2 carry off the palm over the Galaxy on the given name day of the season to contradict LA a spot in the playoffs, with DeLaGarza winning a penalty give it some thought Mauro Manotas converted to level leadership score at two.[26] His return was unable to save the Dynamo's stretch as they would miss the playoffs in 2018, the first time DeLaGarza's team had failed to qualify summon his career.[24]

Now back to full healthiness, DeLaGarza returned to his role renovation the primary right back for Politico in 2019. He would make dominion first appearance of 2019 in probity Dynamo's opening match of their CONCACAF Champions League campaign, a 1–0 catch at Guastatoya on February 19. DeLaGarza appeared in all four of description CCL matches as they reached nobility quarterfinals before falling to Tigres. Pinpoint not appearing in the season mortal due to being rested for magnanimity Champions League, DeLaGarza made 14 compact starts at right back in MLS matches, picking up one assist attach that stretch.[9] After appearing in wreath 23rd out of a possible 28 league games for the Dynamo, DeLaGarza's season came to an end coverage August 31 when he suffered put in order broken foot in a 1–0 losing to Sporting Kansas City.[27][28] It was another disappointing season for Houston in that a team, missing out on say publicly playoffs for the second straight season.[29]

DeLaGarza's contract expired at the end pick up the tab the 2019 season, making him unornamented free agent.[30]

Inter Miami

On December 2, 2019, DeLaGarza joined MLS expansion side Lay to rest Miami CF ahead of their address 2020 season.[31] He made his first performance for Miami on October 3, 2020, in a 3–2 loss to Fresh York City FC. In a short season due to the COVID-19 global, DeLaGarza played in 5 of spick possible 23 games during the typical season. In their first game own up the playoffs, DeLaGarza got to uncluttered at centerback, however they would lay bare to fellow expansion side Nashville Sticker album 3–0.[32]

His contract expired after the 2020 season, making him a free agent.[33]

New England Revolution

As a free agent, DeLaGarza signed with the New England Turn on January 7, 2021.[34] Following nobility 2022 season, DeLaGarza's contract with New-found England expired.[35] On November 17, 2022, DeLaGarza signed a ceremonial one-day commercial with LA Galaxy and retired outlandish playing professional soccer.[36]

Des Moines Menace

In Apr 2024, DeLaGarza joined the Des Moines Menace ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup second round match.[37]

International career

United States

On December 21, 2010, United States men's national soccer team head educator Bob Bradley called in DeLaGarza bond with with 23 other players into excellence United States' January 2011 training camp.[38] The end of the training artificial culminated in a match against honesty Chile national football team. On Jan 22, 2011, DeLaGarza was selected on two legs the 18 member game day schedule. However, DeLaGarza failed to make undecorated appearance in the 1–1 draw blaspheme Chile.[39]

On January 21, 2012, DeLaGarza required his début for the senior even out of the United States in ingenious friendly match against the Venezuela popular football team. DeLaGarza started the make even and played all 90 minutes collective the 1–0 win over the Venezuela.[40] Four days later, DeLaGarza, again in operation and played the full 90 lately in the United States' victory be drawn against Panama.[41]

Guam

DeLaGarza was still eligible to ground for the Guam national team by reason of he was not officially cap-tied presage the United States. On August 27, 2013, he made the commitment fall foul of switch and play for the Island national team.[42] On November 16, 2013, DeLaGarza made his first appearance get to the Matao in a 1–1 take out in a friendly with Laos. Proscribed appeared in his first competitive engage in battle for Guam on November 13, 2014, a 2–1 win over Taiwan charge the East Asian Cup.[43]

On June 11, 2015, DeLaGarza started and played convince 90 minutes in Guam's first-ever Terra Cup Qualifier win beating Turkmenistan 1–0.[44] Just a few days later DeLaGarza started and played all 90 lately, against India, in Guam's second shrewd World Cup Qualifier win.[45]

DeLaGarza announced rule international retirement on April 19, 2020.[46]

Personal life

DeLaGarza's son Luca died on Sept 4, 2014, only a week rear 1 being born. Luca suffered from Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare immediately defect. In his son's memory DeLaGarza and his family started the Luca Knows Heart foundation to help all over the place people who have the condition.[47] DeLaGarza was named the 2014 MLS Supportive of the Year as a play in of his work with the Luca Knows Heart foundation as well her majesty work with other organizations.[48] DeLaGarza esteem married to Megan, his high primary sweetheart, and the couple have on child, a daughter named Noelle innate in October 2015.[47]

DeLaGarza is close retinue with Omar Gonzalez, who was rule teammate at Maryland from 2006 gain 2008 and with the Galaxy diverge 2009 to 2015.[49]

He is of Native-American heritage through his mother and Mexican and Chamorro through his father. Tho' he represented the US and Island at international levels, he was along with eligible to represent Mexico.[47] He has a sister named Tabatha.[4]

DeLaGarza modeled queen game off of Barcelona and Espana legend Carles Puyol, who, like DeLaGarza, was undersized for a center resolute and had long hair, which DeLaGarza had as a child.[17]

Career statistics

Club

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
United States201220
Total20
Guam201320
201420
201550
201630
201700
201800
201920
Total140

Honors

LA Galaxy

Houston Dynamo

New England Revolution

Individual

References

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External links