A. J. DeLaGarza

Adolph Joseph DeLaGarza (born November 4, 1987) is a former professional soccer player. He was a constant fixture in the LA Galaxy teams of the early 2010s that won three MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields. He currently plays for USL League Two club Des Moines Menace.

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

Early life DeLaGarza was born in Bryans Road, Maryland to a Mexican-Chamorro father and a Native American mother.

Club career Youth career At the age of 12, DeLaGarza played for the D.C. United U-12 at the Danone Cup in France, under coach Dave Sarachan. He also played for Baltimore Casa Mia's Bays, where he won two USYSA National Championships. In high school, DeLaGarza played at Henry E. Lackey High School for head coach Gary Lesko in Indian Head, Maryland. DeLaGarza enjoyed a distinguished high school career, being named all-state twice, all-county four times and all-conference four times.

DeLaGarza played college soccer at the University of Maryland, College Park. He was named College Soccer News Second Team All-Freshman after helping Maryland win the National Championship in 2005. He started the title game and helped the Terps keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over New Mexico. Following Sean Franklin's mid-season hamstring injury, DeLaGarza played many games at the right side of Galaxy's defense, starting 16 consecutive games at right back before missing a game due to injury. He would ultimately clock 1,754 minutes in his rookie season. DeLaGarza picked up his first career assist on July 11, sending in a cross that Edson Buddle headed past the Chivas USA keeper to give the Galaxy a 1–0 win. DeLaGarza scored his first goal for LA in a 6–3 loss against FC Dallas on September 12, 2009. He helped the Galaxy defense concede 31 fewer goals than in 2008 and set a club record for clean sheets in a season with 12. The strengthened defense helped LA finish first in the Western Conference. DeLaGarza would make two appearances in the playoffs as the Galaxy would go onto reach MLS Cup, where they lost to Real Salt Lake.

On May 1, 2010, DeLaGarza scored the then fourth fastest goal in club history when he rushed to the back post to tap in a pass from Buddle after 51 seconds. LA would go on to defeat the Philadelphia Union 3–1. He and the Galaxy had a strong season in 2010 as they lifted the Supporters' Shield. DeLaGarza's versatility was on display throughout the year, as he featured as a left back, center back, and as a right back. In eight of his 17 league appearances on the year, LA kept a clean sheet. He played every minute of their playoff run at center back, filling in for the injured Gregg Berhalter.

In 2011, DeLaGarza featured mainly as a center back. He established himself as a key player for the Galaxy, playing in 30 of the 34 regular season matches and his 2,627 regular season were the second most on the team to Todd Dunivant. He also played every minute in both US Open Cup fixtures, every minute in all six CCL games, and played every minute of the Galaxy's playoff run. DeLaGarza also only picked up two yellow cards all season. The Galaxy would once again win the Supporters' Shield, but had more success in the playoffs this year, defeating the Houston Dynamo 1–0 in the MLS Cup final, becoming the sixth club to win both in the same season. DeLaGarza was rewarded for his strong performances throughout the year as he was named the Galaxy Defensive Player of the Year for 2012.

2014 was one of the most successful seasons of DeLaGarza's career. He played primarily as a center back, but also played as a left back and right back throughout the year. DeLaGarza anchored the backline that allowed a MLS low 35 goals in 34 games. He was named as the Galaxy Defensive player of the year for the second time in his career. Although he only had two assists in the regular season, he matched that total in his four playoff appearances. The second came in the first leg of the Western Conference Final matchup against Seattle Sounders FC. DeLaGarza set up Marcelo Sarvas who sent the ball into the net. Los Angeles would win the first leg 1–0 and would advance on away goals after losing the second leg 2–1. The Galaxy would face the New England Revolution in the final win 2–1 in extra time with DeLaGarza playing for the whole 120 minutes. DeLaGarza missed three games in September after the death of his son Luca, who suffered from a rare heart defect.

The 2015 season was a disappointing season for the Galaxy and for DeLaGarza. He made 24 appearances in the league to help LA reach the playoffs for the seventh straight season. However, they would be eliminated in the knockout round after losing 3–2 to Seattle.

2016 saw DeLaGarza once again lead one of the league's best defenses, making 24 MLS appearances for the defense that allowed the second fewest goals in the league. His versatility was crucial for head coach Bruce Arena, who could count on DeLaGarza to give a strong performance at right back and center back throughout the year. The Galaxy returned for the playoffs for the eighth straight year in 2016. However, they would fail to make a deep run, losing to the Rapids on penalties in the Conference semi-finals. DeLaGarza did not appear in any of the three playoff matches.

Houston Dynamo Dynamo head coach Wílmer Cabrera made it clear that he intended to use DeLaGarza solely as a right back. DeLaGarza made his Dynamo debut in the season opener on March 4, a 2–1 win over Seattle. He got his first assist as a Dynamo on May 6 in a 4–0 win over Orlando City SC, sending the ball forward to Alberth Elis who was able to put the ball in the net for the second goal of the game. He started all but four games at right back for Houston, missing three in April with a quad injury and one due to yellow card accumulation. DeLaGarza helped the Dynamo reach the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. His three assists were also a single season career high. However, in the final game of the regular season, DeLaGarza suffered a torn ACL, which forced him to miss the playoffs and most of 2018.

On January 9, 2018, DeLaGarza signed a new contract to remain in Houston. The Dynamo had declined the option on his previous deal, opting to negotiate a lower salary as a result of his significant injury. DeLaGarza returned from injury on August 11 the Dynamo's USL affiliate, Rio Grande Valley FC in a 2–1 defeat to Sacramento Republic. He would make four appearances with the Toros before rejoining to the Dynamo. His return was unable to save the Dynamo's season as they would miss the playoffs in 2018, the first time DeLaGarza's team had failed to qualify in his career. It was another disappointing season for Houston as a team, missing out on the playoffs for the second straight season.

DeLaGarza's contract expired at the end of the 2019 season, making him a free agent.

Inter Miami On December 2, 2019, DeLaGarza joined MLS expansion side Inter Miami CF ahead of their inaugural 2020 season. He made his debut for Miami on October 3, 2020, in a 3–2 loss to New York City FC. In a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DeLaGarza played in 5 of a possible 23 games during the regular season. In their first game of the playoffs, DeLaGarza got to start at centerback, however they would lose to fellow expansion side Nashville SC 3–0.

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

New England Revolution As a free agent, DeLaGarza signed with the New England Revolution on January 7, 2021. Following the 2022 season, DeLaGarza's contract with New England expired. On November 17, 2022, DeLaGarza signed a ceremonial one-day contract with LA Galaxy and retired from playing professional soccer.

Des Moines Menace In April 2024, DeLaGarza joined the Des Moines Menace ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup second round match.

International career United States On December 21, 2010, United States men's national soccer team head coach Bob Bradley called in DeLaGarza along with 23 other players into the United States' January 2011 training camp. The end of the training camp culminated in a match against the Chile national football team. On January 22, 2011, DeLaGarza was selected to the 18 member game day roster. However, DeLaGarza failed to make an appearance in the 1–1 draw against Chile.

On January 21, 2012, DeLaGarza made his début for the senior side of the United States in a friendly match against the Venezuela national football team. DeLaGarza started the match and played all 90 minutes in the 1–0 win over the Venezuela. Four days later, DeLaGarza, again started and played the full 90 minutes in the United States' victory against Panama.

Guam DeLaGarza was still eligible to play for the Guam national team because he was not officially cap-tied with the United States. On August 27, 2013, he made the commitment to switch and play for the Guam national team. On November 16, 2013, DeLaGarza made his first appearance for the Matao in a 1–1 draw in a friendly with Laos. He appeared in his first competitive match for Guam on November 13, 2014, a 2–1 win over Taiwan in the East Asian Cup.

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

DeLaGarza announced his international retirement on April 19, 2020.

Personal life DeLaGarza's son Luca died on September 4, 2014, only a week after being born. Luca suffered from Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare heart defect. In his son's memory DeLaGarza and his family started the Luca Knows Heart foundation to help other people who have the condition.

DeLaGarza is close friends with Omar Gonzalez, who was his teammate at Maryland from 2006 to 2008 and with the Galaxy from 2009 to 2015.

He is of Native-American heritage through his mother and Mexican and Chamorro through his father. Although he represented the US and Guam at international levels, he was also eligible to represent Mexico.

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2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

204!!2!!16!!0!!10!!0!!20!!1!!250!!3 LA Galaxy II (loan) 2015 USL

2017

2018

2019

57!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!4!!0!!61!!0 Rio Grande Valley FC (loan) 2018 USL

Inter Miami CF 2020 MLS

2021

2022

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International

Honors Individual College Cup All-Tournament Team: 2008 MLS Team Fair Play Award: 2013, 2022 MLS Humanitarian of the Year Award: 2014