Dan Gargan

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed on March 7, 2014

The LA Galaxy signed veteran defender Dan Gargan on March 7, 2014

A product of Philadelphia, Penn., Gargan was drafted by the Colorado Rapids with the 43rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft. Gargan spent his first three professional seasons with the Rapids, accumulating 49 league appearances. In April of 2008, Gargan signed with Chivas USA but retired due to personal reasons without playing a single match. He eventually returned to MLS in 2010 with Toronto FC after a year with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division. While with TFC, Gargan made 43 MLS regular season appearances, scoring one goal and notching four assists.

In July of 2011, Gargan was traded to the Chicago Fire. During one-and-a-half seasons at Toyota Park, the fullback was a starting lineup staple, accumulating 31 appearances, scoring a goal and adding an assist while playing primarily at right back.

The veteran defender was selected in the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft by the San Jose Earthquakes where he spent the entire 2013 season, making eight appearances and six starts for the Quakes. 

2014: Signed with the Galaxy ahead of the 2014 season and recorded his most successful year as a professional, with career highs of 29 total appearances, 27 starts and five assists, with his five assists tied for the most of any MLS Defender.  In addition to his regular season contributions, Gargan also played a vital role in the postseason when he appeared in all five of the Galaxy’s playoff matches as the Galaxy became the first team to win five MLS Cups.

2013: Joined the San Jose Earthquakes after being selected in the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft. He spent the entire season with San Jose, making eight appearances and six starts, his lowest totals since 2008 as a member of Chivas USA.

2012: Gargan continued as one of the team’s most consistent defenders, logging 1,754 minutes in 22 appearances during the MLS Regular Season, notching one assist. Joined the San Jose Earthquakes after being selected in the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft. He spent the entire season with San Jose, making eight appearances and six starts, his lowest totals since 2008 as a member of Chivas USA.

2011: Started in all nine matches in which he appeared, logging 785 minutes, bagging one goal since joining the team via trade from Toronto FC for Dasan Robinson on July 28…Scored a 69th minute header in a 2-0 win 8/21 vs. TFC, in his first appearance against his former club since being traded…LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP: Started both matches he was eligible since joining the team via trade, logging 90 minutes in a 2-1 semifinal victory 8/30 vs. RIC and 85 minutes in the 2-0 final loss 10/4 at SEA…INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: Came on as a second half substitute, logging 45 minutes in a 1-0 loss 9/14 vs. Chivas de Guadalajara.

2011 with Toronto FC: Appeared in 16 matches, starting 12 while tallying 1063 minutes before being traded to the Chicago Fire for Dasan Robinson on July 28…NUTRILITE CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP: Appeared in three of TFC’s four matches, starting two and logging 225 minutes on the Reds way to their third straight Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

2010: Appeared in 27 of the team’s 30 regular season matches, starting 25 in his debut season with Toronto… Scored one goal and tallied a career high four assists…Assisted on O’Brian White’s 76th minute goal in a 2-0 victory 4/25 vs. SEA…Assisted on Dwayne De Rosario’s 66th minute winner a in a 3-1 victory 5/29 at SJ…Scored first career MLS goal, an 84th minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw 7/1 vs. HOU …Assisted on Chad Barrett’s 81st minute strike in a 2-1 loss 7/17 at PHI…Assisted on Nana Attakora’s 21st minute goal in a 2-1 win 8/7 vs. CHV…CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP: Appeared in 7 of 8 matches, starting four while logging 468 minutes…NUTRILITE CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP: Started two matches, playing 180 minutes on the team’s way to the 2010 championship.

2009: Returned to soccer with USL First Division’s Puerto Rico Islanders…Appeared in 12 matches, tallying one goal over 933 minutes…Scored 60th minute game-winning goal in 2-0 win 9/6 vs. Rochester…CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Helped Islanders qualify for the preliminary round through the Caribbean Football Union Championships…Started both preliminary round matches, logging 180 minutes helping Puerto Rico past Toronto FC…Appeared in five of six Islanders’ group stage matches, logging 293 minutes…

2008: Released by the Colorado Rapids on April 11…Signed by Chivas USA on April 25 before retiring on May 9 without playing a game.

2007: Starting 11 matches, appearing 15 over 1029 minutes for the Colorado Rapids…Suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Colorado’s 3-0 win 8/16 vs. NE.

2006: Appeared in 22 matches, starting 15, tallying one assist over 1482 minutes for Colorado…Assisted on Nicolas Hernandez 47th minute goal in 1-0 victory 9/2 at RSL…MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: Appeared in two matches, starting one over 135 minutes, helping the Rapids to the 2006 Western Conference final where they fell 3-1 11/5 at HOU…

2005: Appeared in 12 matches, starting five adding two assists over 512 minutes in his rookie campaign after being drafted 43rd overall by Colorado in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft…Tallied first career assist, helping Jeff Cunningham record a hat trick in the 78th minute of a 3-1 win 6/18 at CHV…Assisted on Dedi Ben Dayam’s stoppage time strike in a 3-1 win 9/24 at CHV.

College: Appeared in 75 matches, starting 70 while tallying 11 goals and 18 assists from 2001-04 with Georgetown University….2004: All-BIG EAST Second Team selection...NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region Third Team choice...finished second on the team in scoring with 15 points off four goals and seven assists...2003 Chosen All-BIG EAST Third Team...named team MVP...selected to NSCAA/adidas All-South Atlantic Region...started 18 games...second leading scorer with 16 points and team leader in assists with six...six assists tied for eighth in the BIG EAST and three game winning goals tied for fifth...game winning goals against Towson (9/16), Villanova (10/15), and Delaware (11/5)...ranks 30th in career points at Georgetown…

2002: Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week November 5...helped the defense post four shutouts in 2002...scored an unassisted game-winning goal against Princeton to seal a 3-2 victory (10/1)... a BIG EAST Academic All-Star…2001: Started 17 of 18 games...ripped 21 shots on the year and ended the campaign with five points...buried the game winning goal at home against Pennsylvania...had two assists in the Hoya victory over Howard...fed an assist vs. St. Peter's.

High School: Named All-State and team MVP his junior and senior seasons at Chestnut Hill...was league Most Valuable Player as a senior...played for the Olympic Development Program Regional Team in 1998, 1999, and 2000...played for the strong FC Coppa team.

Personal: Born in Philadelphia, PA…Enjoys painting and often donates his work to charity…Yoga enthusiast…Fan of all Philadelphia sports teams…