CARSON, Calif. – A.J. DeLaGarza has not fully recovered from the MCL sprain in his left knee that has sidelined him since September, but on Wednesday, the central defender took a major step in his recovery.
DeLaGarza took part in the club’s training session on Wednesday participating in a passing drill with the team as well as warm ups and individual work with assistant coach Jovan Kirovski. According to DeLaGarza, the on-field portion of his recovery process—which began last week—is ongoing, but by no means complete.
“This has been the worse injury that I’ve ever had,” said DeLaGarza on Wednesday. “Being out six weeks is a long time for me so it’s different and I handle it alright at times, but sometimes you want to rush it and sometimes you get down on yourself because you want to help the team, but they’re winning right now. All I can do is support them, I’m happy because what they’ve been able to do is tremendous. When this team wants to turn it on, I don’t think many teams could stop us.”
While DeLaGarza has remained upbeat about his injury throughout his recovery, he admits that he has missed suiting up for the Galaxy, after a season that included a total of 30 Regular Season appearances for LA.
“I try to do stuff at home to loosen it up as well. When I first got the injury, they said six to eight weeks and I got an injection and it might take it down two weeks, so that’s why at the very beginning, I said four weeks I’ll be back,” said DeLaGarza. “That’s my mindset obviously; I guess that I guessed wrong. At around three weeks when I wasn’t running and it wasn’t getting much better, that’s when I was getting down on myself, but it takes time to heal.”
While his recovery remains a work in progress, DeLaGarza has set a goal of being available for the MLS Cup Final, should LA advance.
“That’s my goal, just to dress and if I’m called upon be able to help the team,” said DeLaGarza. “Whether it is off the bench or starting or not starting, not dressing, whatever it may be.”
