CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza will lead Guam in the most important matches of the island territory’s fledgling soccer history.
The Matao will seek to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the island’s history this week with a pair of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Turkmenistan on June 11 and India on June 16 at the GFA National Training Center. Also placed in Group D is Asian soccer giant Iran and Middle Eastern nation Oman.
In addition to serving as World Cup Qualifiers, the group games will also serve as qualification for the 2019 Asian Cup. Due to the international call, DeLaGarza will miss the Galaxy’s matches against Columbus Crew SC on June 13 and the U.S. Open Cup fourth-round date with PSA Elite.
Given the team’s recent injury situation, it is difficult for DeLaGarza to leave the Galaxy but the magnitude of the games are simply too great.
“The timing is not perfect and the situation here is not perfect because we have a lot of injured guys but I felt that this week has been the best I’ve felt all year, that starts from the second week of preseason when I got hurt, I played eight games and missed eight as well. But the reason why I committed to Guam was for these games, and if I’m healthy I want to be there.
“Again, I also want to be here playing and helping this team, but there’s no perfect time for that.”
After overcoming a foot injury that cost him much of the preseason, the 27-year-old has missed the Galaxy’s last four matches due to a groin injury. However, DeLaGarza returned to the gameday squad for the club’s 1-0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
With the team hurting for defenders, DeLaGarza and Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena had a discussion. While LA’s head coach was reluctant to let his veteran defender go due to his injury situation, Arena relented and allowed DeLaGarza to pursue his shot at a World Cup.
“I’m in principle not in favor of it but at the same time, we never want to roadblock a player’s opportunity to play internationally,” Arena said on Monday. “But with injured players, we do have concerns.”
While DeLaGarza understands his coach’s concerns, the opportunity for Guam to start their qualifying campaign with two wins was simply too great.
“He doesn’t like to send players who have been injured, and obviously, I hope nothing happens but if something did, he’d have a right to be upset but I told him that I feel good and that I’ll take care of my body right, and be a good professional,” DeLaGarza said.
“Part of the reason that I wanted to go is that these are two of the ‘easier’ games in our group if there are any easy ones for us. They’re two games at home and those are so important. When we go to Iran, there could be 90,000 plus in their stadium and then we go to Oman so it’s important to get off to a good start.”
Even though the timing of the defender’s departure is a tad awkward, DeLaGarza is eager for his chance at leading the small island territory to the World Cup.
“It’s exciting but I’m feeling like I’m leaving the team a little stranded. However, it’s important to go to Guam for their first World Cup qualifiers,” DeLaGarza said. “I’m sure there will be a lot of excitement around the island. Hopefully we can play well and get two wins.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
