CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 2016 was a tumultuous one filled with brilliant goals and frustrating moments for Bruce Arena’s men, ultimately ending in a penalty kick shootout defeat in the Western Conference Semifinals.
As we look back on 2016, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will provide a review of each position. The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with goalkeepers and then move up the field to defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Several select players will also have their own review, based on the number of appearances made.
A.J. DELAGARZA
GP: 28 (24 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 27 (23 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 0
A: 0
HIGHLIGHTS:
Simply put, there’s no more reliable defender than A.J. DeLaGarza.
A fixture in the Galaxy back four since he was drafted out of Maryland in 2009, DeLaGarza was once again one of the team leaders in appearances despite an up and down season. The 29-year-old defender made 28 appearances across all competitions and 27 starters which eclipsed his total from the 2015 campaign.
Despite not being a consistent fixture in the starting XI, DeLaGarza was able to contribute when called upon by now former Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. Whether it was on either side of defense or in the center, DeLaGarza’s cerebral playing style and underrated speed helped him come up big when needed.
No moment best personified DeLaGarza’s value than when the defender made an acrobatic block off the line against Seattle Sounders FC’s Jordan Morris to preserve a 1-0 victory over the Sounders in July.
LOWLIGHTS:
A.J. DeLaGarza’s season was a frustrating one for the defender.
Although his minutes and appearances total slightly increased from the 2015 campaign, the 29-year-old was not the regular fixture in the lineup that he has been in years past.
With the emergence of Daniel Steres and the arrival of Ashley Cole moving Robbie Rogers to the right side of the defense, DeLaGarza saw his position fluctuate throughout the season. Rather than having a set place, the veteran was often used to fill in for any absences Bruce Arena’s squad may have had along the backline.
International soccer did not provide any solace either for DeLaGarza, who saw his Guam national team struggle in 2016. DeLaGarza made just a pair of appearances for a Matao side that failed to qualify for the East Asian Championships and went the entire 2016 campaign without a victory.
OVERVIEW:
A.J. DeLaGarza like many other players on the LA Galaxy roster faces considerable questions heading into next season.
The first of the questions is that the Galaxy must first decide whether or not to protect the veteran in the expansion draft set to occur just following MLS Cup. DeLaGarza figures to be a surefire candidate to be protected, but with only 11 protected spots available, the Galaxy front office must decide where the cuts will come.
Next, the new manager will have to decide how to utilize DeLaGarza, who was something of a Swiss army knife under Bruce Arena. Capable of playing on the right side of defense or at central defender, DeLaGarza will have a wide variety of uses for whoever takes over at StubHub Center.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com. ​
