CARSON, Calif. – Defender Dan Gargan earned a spot with the Galaxy during 2014 training camp and went on to appear in 35 games, including 27 regular-season starts, in all competitions.
The 32-year-old also won his first MLS Cup in December and with his wife Kelly became parents to a daughter, Golden, who was born four days before the final.
It certainly was a year to remember for the popular defender who helped make up for the loss of former Galaxy mainstay Sean Franklin to free agency. But what does he do for an encore?
“I have no idea,” he said with a laugh after training Tuesday. “It’s a great challenge; that’s the story of life. You set the bar and hope to achieve it.
“Then you reset the bar and go and chase after that.”
Gargan’s emergence at right back came at a most opportune time, to say the least. Not only had Franklin left the team, but James Riley – who also made the club in training camp – was an early injury casualty and went on to make only four appearances. In stepped Gargan, who originally was drafted 43rd overall by Colorado in the 2005 SuperDraft and has played with Chivas USA, Toronto FC, the Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes before arriving in Southern California looking for a job.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena called Gargan one of his club’s unsung heroes.
“I think for the most part he was pretty consistent, which we were pleased with,” Arena said. “At right back we started the position with James Riley, who went out pretty quickly. Dan got himself ready to go and did a good job.
“His consistency is what really helped us. We could count on him game in and game out. “
Unlike a year ago, Gargan has secured his spot on the Galaxy after recently signing a multi-year contract. But the native of Philadelphia isn’t about to let his guard down. He has goals this season which he said will be tougher to achieve, but he politely declined to identify them.
“I keep those to myself,” he said. “It’s kind of a private thing. I do think there are different goals for me this year, different achievements I’d like to hit. There’s no reason to do this and play this game and work at a craft if you settle at something.
“Just push yourself a little bit further and you build a strong foundation. I was able to lay a good foundation here in L.A. and I think I’m happy to be back here and trying to build on that.”
Gargan said he gets inspired by the play of teammate Robbie Keane, who is coming off a brilliant season which included the Volkswagen Most Valuable Player award along with a career-high 21 goals and 17 assists.
“Just because he’s set on the roster and starting doesn’t mean there isn’t a challenge for him every day he steps on the field,” Gargan said. “There’s a guy coming off arguably his best season ever and he’s going to push himself to be better every day out here and every day out on the field.
“My approach is similar. I think it’s one of those things where there’s a little bit of comfort knowing that there’s a mutual desire to be within the team and that’s a good feeling. But there’s no room to rest or time to take off. It’s every day someone wants what you have and what spot you have wherever you’re at.
“That’s kind of the way I’ve been able to have a pretty solid career,” Gargan continued. “I have no intention of slowing down.”
