For DeLaGarza, away game holds extra meaning
Dynamo defender A.J. DeLaGarza was a kid when the MLS was born, but he had a special reason to root for D.C. United, the team that won three of the first four league championships.
He grew up in nearby Bryans Road, Md. To get to RFK Stadium, it required only a 40-minute drive up Indian Head Highway along the banks of the Potomac River — the same body of water that separates the White House from the Pentagon.
It was an easy choice for DeLaGarza to follow the original D.C. United teams, coached by Bruce Arena and led on the field by Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry and Eddie Pope.
“This is where I started watching pro soccer,” DeLaGarza said. “Watching them is when I realized I wanted to be a professional soccer player. That was the team everybody looked to.”
A final homecoming
On Saturday night, D.C. United fans will get to watch DeLaGarza and the Dynamo in person. With D.C. set to open a new stadium next summer, Saturday will be the last time DeLaGarza gets to play at RFK.
He said he expects about 200 family members and friends to attend and that they will cheer for him to do well even if D.C. United is the team in their hearts.
No title will be on the line – though winning their first road game in their 11th try may feel almost as good for the Dynamo – but DeLaGarza has won championships with D.C.-area teams.
He won two national titles with the Baltimore
Bays’ under-15 team in the early 2000s. In 2005 and 2008, he won NCAA titles with the University of Maryland.
Taste for titles
DeLaGarza always has been a major contributor to his teams, including throughout eight seasons with the LA Galaxy. After each of his three MLS Cup titles with LA, he got to visit the White House with the team.
He has said he wants to win more championships in Houston and is playing a significant role in that quest. He has started 17 of 20 games this season.
The Dynamo have a lot of work to do if they want to win it all. They could take a significant step on Saturday by winning their first road game.
DeLaGarza will have no problem finding extra energy. He’ll have too many people cheering for him.
“It is always fun to come back here, see family and friends, the support they bring and how excited they get about the game,” he said. “To all be together is a special moment. You look up at the stands and see a couple hundred of your family and friends. The support here for me is great.”