CARSON, Calif. – Their current jerseys now feature the black and orange of the Houston Dynamo instead of the more familiar blue, gold and white of the Galaxy, but feelings for the five-time MLS Cup champions still run deep for A.J. DeLaGarza and Leonardo.
That helps explain why Saturday’s 2-2 draw at StubHub Center was such an emotional affair for the veteran defenders. Both players received a warm welcome not only from former teammates but the 25,667 in attendance.
“I heard a couple thousand,” DeLaGarza said of the fans with a laugh after the game. “A good greeting. This is the first time the fans have seen me since last year … kind of closure for them and myself.
“It’s good to be back and be in familiar territory.”
“It was very nice,” Leonardo said. “A couple of people said, ‘We miss you guys.’ ”
Saturday marked the first appearances of DeLaGarza and Leonardo since they left the club following last season. DeLaGarza was traded to the Dynamo in mid-January and Leonardo was selected by the club in the MLS Re-Entry Draft last December.
DeLaGarza said in some ways he still feels part of the Galaxy family – “I will be part of the Galaxy and their history. The fans are a part of my life,” he said – but added he’s finally moved on from the disappointment of the trade.
“It’s not (upsetting),” he said when asked if resentment from the deal finally has diminished. “My wife (Megan) and I are happy in Houston. We’re enjoying it and embracing it.
“For me it was time for a change. We’re happy.”
DeLaGarza had been embraced the club ever since he was a second-round draft choice in 2009, and especially after he and his wife lost their newborn son, Luca, to a congenital heart defect three years ago. He later was named 2014 MLS Works Humanitarian of the Year.
DeLaGarza said he wanted to give the StubHub fans hugs, but admitted he was focused on the task at hand – specifically, helping the Dynamo earn their first road victory of the season. Thanks to Romain Alessandrini’s goal in stoppage time, they’re now 0-6-2 away from home.
“That’s obviously very frustrating,” he said. “For myself, obviously, I wanted to get a win here.”
