AJ DeLaGarza Appreciation Thread

Discussion in 'LA Galaxy' started by hav77, Jan 19, 2017.

  1. hav77

    hav77 Member+

    May 31, 2010
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    A little late in coming...I think all Galaxy fans can honestly state that AJ was the smartest Galaxy defender in recent memory. We have seen him time and time again correctly read plays and break them up as they happened, read developing plays and be in the right position to stuff out any potential trouble, or be able to sense danger and cover his teammates. I am still dumbfounded as to why he lost his starting spot and why Bruce broke apart the Gonzo/AJ duo in the back.

    I know he's known for his defense and it's what I've appreciated, but this is still by far my favorite AJ moment.


    Some highlights


     
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  2. GalaxyKoa

    GalaxyKoa Member+

    Jul 18, 2007
    North County
    Club:
    Los Angeles
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    AJ will be sorely missed. He's 5th in the all time list of minutes played in a Galaxy uniform (regular season minutes) with 17249, behind only Cobi Jones, Kevin Hartman, Landon Donovan and Mauricio Cienfuegos. That's some damn good company. Rounding out the top ten are:

    1. Cobi Jones (25145)
    2. Kevin Hartman (21735)
    3. Landon Donovan (21418)
    4. Mauricio Cienfuegos (17708)
    5. A.J. DeLaGarza (17249)
    6. Todd Dunivant (1664)
    7. Greg Vanney (16273)
    8. Omar Gonzalez (15785)
    9. Juninho (15613)
    10. Pete Vagenas (14508)

    I'm hopeful that Cabrera will take care of AJ. I wish him all the luck in the world.
     
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  3. FlapJack

    FlapJack Member+

    Mar 3, 2006
    Los Angeles
    I don't know where to begin...
     
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  4. MPNumber9

    MPNumber9 Member+

    Oct 10, 2010
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    AJ has had historic moments for us:

    Gave Landon Donovan the all-time assist record with the primary assist on this excellent Keane volley.



    Helped cap off the longest passing sequence leading to a goal in MLS history.



    Scores the opening goal against Monterrey in the CCL semis in 2012

     
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  5. skydog

    skydog Member+

    Aug 1, 1999
    Durham, NC
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    There must be a lot of onions in my sandwich. I don't taste them but...
     
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  6. Beep Boop Robot

    Mar 11, 2015
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Are you even eating a sandwich?
     
  7. skydog

    skydog Member+

    Aug 1, 1999
    Durham, NC
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    You just be quiet ok? I'm going with the onion sandwich story and it's working, I think.
     
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  8. L.A. Native

    L.A. Native Member+

    Aug 1, 2013
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
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  9. The Cadaver

    The Cadaver It's very quiet here.

    Oct 24, 2000
    La Cañada, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If AJ had been blessed with a body that matched his soccer mind, he would have been a USMNT player and a rock of that team. On the other hand, as things worked out, he didn't get subjected to playing for s German maniac. Good example of the old saying, the Lord giveth and the Lord takes away.

    Perhaps the best example in LAG soccer history of a guy who was soccer smart enough to overcome physical deficits. That's one of the things that endeared him to fans. I will always think of him showing up out of nowhere to cover for errors of others or rescue an out-of-position keeper. How many opposing forwards never saw him coming and afterwards looked like, "Where did that come from?"

    On top of all that, a family man and an example of courage in the face of personal tragedy that would have floored many, myself included. How can you not love and respect that guy?
     
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  10. TrickHog

    TrickHog Moderator
    Staff Member

    Oct 14, 2002
    Los Angeles, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This pretty much sums it up.
     
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  11. napper

    napper Member+

    Jan 14, 2014
    Fullerton
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Love AJ.
     
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  12. TheLostUniversity

    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Feb 4, 2007
    Greater Boston
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    • I think the best tribute to A's defensive excellence is this simple one: when Bruce chose not to or could not have him as CB, the Galaxy allowed goals in numbers that simply did not happen when AJ was there. Bruce certainly kept trying to find someone other than AJ [distrust of a player his height?], but never came close. He was underrated.
    • He was also underrated as a player for Guam. To be able to go as ridiculously far as they did in WC qualifying, to slog directly againt Iran, for example, had everything to do with AJ's extraordinary drive, leadership, and talent.
    • Houston is lucky to have him.
     
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  13. Dr.Phil

    Dr.Phil Member+

    Jan 18, 2004
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I hate that we traded for him but happy he will get an opportunity to start consistently
     
  14. mbar

    mbar Member+

    Apr 30, 1999
    Los Angeles, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Why does the LA Galaxy social media team spend months celebrating Steven Gerrards aweful 18 months at the club (seriously, they must have posted 50 times about him) yet they do next to nothing for AJ who was here for 7-8 years and is a 3 time champion?
     
  15. Dr.Phil

    Dr.Phil Member+

    Jan 18, 2004
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They claim other wise but they are clueless
     
  16. mbar

    mbar Member+

    Apr 30, 1999
    Los Angeles, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Really? Where do they claim or discuss this? I must have missed it.
     
  17. Dr.Phil

    Dr.Phil Member+

    Jan 18, 2004
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The marketing and PR thread. We had what's his name come in and defend their work.
     
  18. napper

    napper Member+

    Jan 14, 2014
    Fullerton
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Some fool responded to one of their AJ tweets with a complaint that it was too much already and that "he's gone." Maybe they listened to "fan?"
     
  19. skydog

    skydog Member+

    Aug 1, 1999
    Durham, NC
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    I know sports is a business but still no way to treat AJ. Classiest player to ever play for LA. Others might be tied but no one surpassed him for heart and giving his all for the Galaxy. Never took a play off. Not many players you could say that about.
     
  20. Geneva

    Geneva LA for Life

    Feb 5, 2003
    Southern Cal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm going to really miss AJ. It feels like the end of an era, even more than Bruce leaving. Other than that, @The Cadaver said it all oh so eloquently. AJ is a man that we could always be proud to have on our team. And we always will be.
     
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  21. StillKickin

    StillKickin Member+

    Austin FC
    Dec 17, 2002
    Texas
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I love AJ.
     
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  22. profiled

    profiled Moderator
    Staff Member

    Feb 7, 2000
    slightly north of a mile high
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Tears...

    [​IMG]
     
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  23. hav77

    hav77 Member+

    May 31, 2010
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    So AJ and Leo be Houston's starting CBs? I bet a dollar that they both score against the Gs when they play each other.
     
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  24. Dr.Phil

    Dr.Phil Member+

    Jan 18, 2004
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    AJ was being used as a RB in the preseason lineups I saw
     
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  25. Berks

    Berks Member+

    Dec 22, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Leo and AJ together. Just feels beyond weird. Best of luck to him. I can't hate because he is such a wonderful class act.

    You rock, AJ.
     

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