NEW YORK (Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014) – Major League Soccer today announced LA Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza as the 2014 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year.
DeLaGarza has been a stronghold in the Galaxy defense and a key to the team’s success in his six seasons with the club. Off the field, the Guamanian international is the first to volunteer his time to support the Los Angeles community. DeLaGarza has graciously given his time to Camps for Kids, visiting patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and unveiling a new soccer field in South Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, the MLS and sports world rallied around DeLaGarza and his family when his son Luca was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect before being born. A true stalwart, DeLaGarza immediately thought of the other families affected by this condition and directed all monetary support to the Heart Center at CHLA, raising over $25,000.
DeLaGarza has been a stronghold in the Galaxy defense and a key to the team’s success in his six seasons with the club. Off the field, the Guamanian international is the first to volunteer his time to support the Los Angeles community. DeLaGarza has graciously given his time to Camps for Kids, visiting patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and unveiling a new soccer field in South Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, the MLS and sports world rallied around DeLaGarza and his family when his son Luca was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect before being born. A true stalwart, DeLaGarza immediately thought of the other families affected by this condition and directed all monetary support to the Heart Center at CHLA, raising over $25,000.
CLICK HERE to watch the MLS Insider episode dedicated to his late son, “Family & Football: The Luca DeLaGarza Storyâ€.
In tribute to DeLaGarza’s inspiring work, MLS WORKS will donate $5,000 to his charity of choice.
A two-time National Champion at the University of Maryland, DeLaGarza joined the LA Galaxy in 2009. In his time with the club, the defender has played nearly 160 MLS games, contributing to the conquest of two MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012 and two Supporters’ Shields in 2010 and 2011.
The award was voted on by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular season performance. The other two finalists were FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd and Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara. Below is a breakdown of the voting for the top four candidates:
By: Editor
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