CARSON, Calif. -- A.J. DeLaGarza made a major step forward in his injury recovery by going 90 minutes for LA Galaxy II in their scoreless draw with Real Monarchs SLC on Sunday evening at StubHub Center.
DeLaGarza started in central defense for Los Dos as Galaxy II were rarely tested by the Real Salt Lake affiliate who were playing in their first-ever match.The appearance was DeLaGarza's longest of 2015 as the defender made just a brief cameo for the Galaxy first team in their opening match after missing much of the preseason with a left foot injury.
Although DeLaGarza was rarely tested, the match nearly turned dark for the defender as he appeared to injury his ankle in stoppage time after a late challenge by a Real Monarchs defender.
"90 minutes of time as a center back is probably just 45 minutes fitness wise for an outside back, but I felt fine," said A.J. DeLaGarza. They didn't have many chances in our half where we were running too much. I felt like as a group we were organized and we didn't really allow them anything. At the end of the game, one of their young guys tried to make a play as I was going to clear the ball, and he just ran through my ankle. I honestly thought it popped out, but thankfully nothing bad happened and I just jogged off."
