Two former Galaxy players now with Dynamo are eager to face former team.
Ex-Galaxy players preparing for an ‘emotional’ return to Los Angeles
A.J. DeLaGarza expects an “emotional” and “a little bit weird” experience on Saturday when the Dynamo resume their season against the Los Angeles Galaxy after an international break.
That’s because he will be back where it all began.
DeLaGarza spent his first eight MLS seasons with the Galaxy. So, when he takes the field at the Stub Hub Center, it will not feel like any other road game.
“I grew up there, had a kid, had a family, won a couple championships,” DeLaGarza said. “It holds a special place in my heart, but we have to come out there this weekend and get a road win.”
DeLaGarza will be joined on the Dynamo back line by Leonardo — another former Galaxy player. DeLaGarza arrived with the Galaxy in 2010. Leonardo joined a year later. They played a combined 289 games with their former team.
Leonardo had a memorable run with L.A. for many of the same reasons as DeLaGarza, including the championships, his family and his kids.
‘Happy to be here’
The Galaxy did not pick up the option on his contract after the 2016 season, paving the way for the Dynamo to select him in stage 2 of the re-entry draft.
“I am happy to be here,” Leonardo said. “It is my new team, my new challenge. I want to win the game and, if possible, score a goal. Me and A.J.”
While that goal-scoring scenario seems farfetched, the Dynamo do not think they can’t score at all. In fact, DeLaGarza said the Galaxy’s injuries and international absences make Saturday’s game more winnable than it would have been otherwise, even with the Dynamo’s 0-6-1 record away from home.
Giovani dos Santos is with Mexico for the Confederations Cup. Six other players have been ruled out with injuries, including U.S. national team midfielder Jermaine Jones.
Adding to the Dynamo’s chances of securing a road win, the Galaxy have won only one of their six home games this season.
“We have guys out right now with call-ups and coming back this week, but we have to be able to take advantage of this — a team in L.A. that hasn’t done at well at home,” DeLaGarza said. “We’re a team that hasn’t done well on the road, so something
has to give. Hopefully, it’s in our favor.”
Trade saga One thing that was not in DeLaGarza’s favor in January were the details surrounding his trade to the Dynamo. Shortly after arriving in Houston, De LaGarza said Los Angeles told him he would not be traded. On draft day, the Galaxy turned around and sent him to the Dynamo for allocation money. It bothered him at the time, but not anymore.
“That was six months ago. I am pretty much over it,” DeLaGarza said. “It wasn’t the best situation in how it was handled. I am happy to be here. My family is happy to be here. We’re enjoying Houston. No complaints whatsoever.”