Galaxy's Delgado willing to do all he can for team
In 2020, Mark Delgado was on a Major League Soccer list of the most underrated players in the league.
Three-years later, Delgado might still be on that list, but his value for the Galaxy continues to be important and he remains good at running, although it might not be his favorite aspect of the game.
“It's part of the job, right,” Delgado said with a laugh. “Sometimes I have to run more than I have to, but I have to do what I have to do to help the team in any way possible.
“If that's me doing a little bit more, then I have to. The guy that I am and the personality that I have, I'll do anything I can to help my teammates and my team to get a result, to get a win. Whatever is needed, I will do to the best of my capabilities. I definitely feel it after a game, but I'm pretty professional about taking care of myself.”
Delgado assisted on both of the Galaxy's goals in Tuesday's 2-0 U.S. Open Cup win over LAFC. Tonight,
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Today: Charlotte at Galaxy, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV+
the Galaxy will look to carry over that momentum back into league play as Charlotte FC visits Dignity Health Sports Park (7:30 p.m., Apple TV+).
“It was good to get a win,” Delgado said of the Open Cup victory. “Especially with the stretch we've been going through and the previous away stretch, so it was good to get something positive, get the boys back on track, get the mindset ready. ... It was good for morale and guys are feeling good.”
The midfield trio of Delgado, Riqui Puig and Gaston Brugman continues to evolve. The trio still hasn't played what amounts to a full season together, with Puig and Brugman arriving late last season.
“We're still working through cleaning up things and having an understanding on controlling tempo, things like that,” Delgado said. “Little things that can make a big difference over a stretch of 90 minutes. Riqui is a special player, we've seen what he can do, so me and Gaston have to cover ground. We definitely feel it, we just have to get that connection a little bit closer and I think we'll be able to support each other in a better way.”
Tonight's game and Wednesday's trip to Real Salt Lake will conclude a congested month of games. By the end of the month, the Galaxy will have played eight games in 25 days.
Recovery is always key for soccer players, especially for Delgado during the current stretch of games.
“Lot of cold tub, cryo chamber, a lot of cold basically is good for recovery, turn off your neurological system to get that recovery mode kicked in because after games you're wired, you're fired up, lot of players can't sleep after games,” he said. “It's all about discipline, getting off your phone, kind of unwind and chill. I go to the beach a lot to unwind. I've gotten into more natural recovery stuff, aside from cold water, and I've felt the difference. I feel like I recover quicker now. Never found myself a quick runner, but I do feel faster.”