CARSON, Calif. – This is what we know: the LA Galaxy will be without left back Todd Dunivant for Saturday’s match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. But now that Dunivant is out, who slides in along the left side of defense for LA?
The host of candidates begins with A.J. DeLaGarza who has recovered from a left shin hemotoma injury that he suffered during LA’s March 22 match against Real Salt Lake. Throughout the week in training, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena mentioned him as an option and defender Omar Gonzalez also gave him a ringing endorsement heading into Saturday’s match against Vancouver.
“I believe that we have the players to step in and not really skip a beat. Hopefully who ever plays in his position will step in and do a great job. Hopefully that guy is A.J. and we all know how reliable he is,” said Gonzalez. “No one is worrying about how he’ll do. We know that he’ll do well.”
DeLaGarza, who has little experience at the left back position, but plays left center back whenever partnered alongside Gonzalez, admits that he’s ready to go if called upon.
“I’m ready to go and fill in wherever I’m needed if I’m called upon. I simply want to do whatever I can do to contribute,” DeLaGarza told LA Galaxy Insider. “If I play there, I know that I need to be aware of their dangerous attacking core of guys. They’re fast and we have to cognizant of that.”
