CARSON, Calif. – Daniel Steres has done his fair share of bouncing around in professional soccer.
The LA Galaxy center back originally was selected by Chivas USA in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft but never was offered a contract. He then spent a month in camp with the Seattle Sounders, followed by a stint with the Wilmington (N.C.) Hammerheads before joining Galaxy II, with whom he became a USL All-League First Team member in 2015.
The 25-year-old signed with the Galaxy’s parent club last December and surprisingly has become a fixture on the back line. He has started all six games this season and even scored a goal in his Galaxy debut in the regular-season opener against D.C. United.
But before anyone thinks he’s feeling comfortable in his current surroundings, think again. Steres knows better.
“I know how this sport is,” he said after training. “You never really know.”
What Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena knows is the 6-foot, 175-pounder has been one of his steadiest performers despite his lack of experience at this level. There are those who even feel Steres has been the club’s best defender to date.
“He’s doing well,” Arena said. “I think his most impressive quality is his consistency. He doesn’t go up or down from week to week.
“That’s pretty good for a player with the experience he has.”
Steres was pressed into duty with injuries to center back Leonardo (knee surgery) and back line veteran A.J. DeLaGarza (foot). Both players are close to returning to action, but Steres could be difficult to remove from the starting lineup.
“I think he’s done really well,” DeLaGarza said. “He’s just been pretty consistent. When a guy is playing like that it’s hard to take him out. Hopefully he can continue to progress and be a center back for a number of years to come.”
Steres, who has been playing with a torn ligament in his right thumb (he suffered the injury in the opener), said he’s growing more comfortable with each game. He attributed much of his improvement to the presence of new center back Jelle Van Damme, the Belgian international who joined the Galaxy in late January.
Steres said he learns something from him in every game.
“He’s a big, strong force and guys are a little intimidated by that,” Steres said. “There’s always things defensively I can pick up on how he plays things.
“It’s nice to have that at your side.”
Steres, a Burbank native, said he can’t help but relish his good fortune. It’s almost too good to be true, he admitted.
“When I was growing up I wish I could have said this was my home. I would have always loved to be here,” he said. “I hope I’m getting in a groove to where I have found a home.
“I’m just trying to keep my spot, keep getting better and keep helping the team. It’s great to be out here in L.A. doing this.”
