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The 2016 MLS season marks A.J. DeLaGarza’s eighth season with the LA Galaxy, effectively making him the longest tenured player on the roster.
But of course, this hasn’t always been the case. In fact, if not for a good combine and the keen eye of an LA Galaxy assistant coach, DeLaGarza might not be in the position he is today.
“Going into the draft I really had no expectations,” he told lagalaxy.com. “I thought I had a pretty good combine; that’s what kind of pushed me to go as high as I did. I really had no idea if I would go in the first round, second round, third round or not get drafted at all.”
As it turned out, DeLaGarza would go on to be selected as the 19th overall pick in the second round of 2009 MLS draft; something he found out via computer.
“It was click and refresh, click and refresh on my computer,” DeLaGarza told lagalaxy.com.
CLICK AND REFRESH? Guys, this was 2009; he may have been at the mercy of dial-up. For some perspective, here’s a scenario that could have just as easily played out that day:
A young DeLaGarza sits at his parents’ kitchen table, anxiously awaiting every pick of the draft. He removes himself from the table, if only for a second, to refill his large glass of orange juice (peach-mango, no less). When he returns to his seat he doesn’t refresh his computer. The rest of the draft plays out, with his computer somehow picking up again at draft pick number 23, leaving him under the impression that he’s not a professional soccer player.
Deterred but motivated, DeLaGarza applies to NASA on a whim and gets accepted and somehow makes a discovery that allows humans to colonize Mars by the year 2015.
Fortunately for DeLaGarza, and much to the dismay of mankind, he did hit refresh. From there, the former Maryland Terrapin would go on to establish himself as a mainstay in the Galaxy back-line, showcasing his tremendous versatility – able to play both outside and center back — winning multiple team defensive MVP awards in the process (on MLS Championship teams, no less).
And yet, his name still isn’t among the first mentioned when it comes to the best defenders in the league. Maybe it’s because he plays internationally for Guam. Maybe it’s because Omar Gonzalez was his other half for so many years. Or maybe it’s because he lives a relatively quiet life off the field. But whatever the reason may be, there’s no denying the quality he brings to the field and the back-line of the LA Galaxy.
“He’s as good a defender as there is in the league,” said Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena “I don’t know if you can mention too many players who can fill every position in your back line and do it without a whole lot of fanfare and sometimes do it exceptionally well.”
Now, at a seasoned 28 years old, DeLaGarza is an elder statesman and the most veteran member on a Galaxy team filled with superstars — Steven Gerrard, Nigel de Jong, Giovani dos, Santos and Robbie Keane, among others. And while he’s come a long way from being the unheralded draft pick out of Maryland, he’ll most likely continue to do the brunt of his work in the shadows of the aforementioned stars — something he doesn’t spend a lot of time worrying about.
“That’s not my job to worry about,” said DeLaGarza, when asked by Goal USA about his lack of widespread recognition. “I’ve got to get on with it and play in every single game that I’m in that starting XI. I’m the Galaxy defender of the year voted by the people who are here week in, week out watching our games and voting. That’s a great achievement. I’m happy with that.”
