The all-time great A Minnesota United FC player announced his retirement due to his marriage.
A.J. DeLaGarza, a former right defender for the New England Revolution, has concluded his professional soccer career after fourteen years.
The 35-year-old signed a one-day contract on Thursday with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the team that launched his professional career. DeLaGarza played in 250 games for the Galaxy in all competitions after being chosen with the nineteenth overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He also assisted the Galaxy in winning three MLS Cups and two Supporters’ Shields.
In addition, DeLaGarza won numerous individual awards in Los Angeles. He was named the Galaxy Defender of the Year twice and was named the MLS Humanitarian of the Year in 2014 for his efforts with Luca Knows Heart. AJ and his spouse, Megan, established a foundation to increase awareness of congenital heart abnormalities in memory of their son.
“I am eternally grateful to have been a part of this club, and when I thought about how I wanted to step away from the game, I knew I wanted it to be as a member of the LA Galaxy,” DeLaGarza stated in reference to his time in Los Angeles.formally, “I’m a G for life.”
After playing with the Houston Dynamo for three seasons, DeLaGarza helped the team win the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
DeLaGarza rejoined Bruce Arena in New England following a season with Inter Miami, and he signed as a free agent in January 2021. DeLaGarza, who was mostly utilized as a depth player, played in fifteen games for the Revs and was a member of the 2021 team that won the team’s first Supporters’ Shield.
