NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



New England Revolution

New England Revolution Sign Veteran Defender A.J. DeLaGarza

January 7, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Revolution have signed defender A.J. DeLaGarza (pronounced DAY-la-GAR-za) as a free agent. A three-time MLS Cup champion and two-time Supporters' Shield winner, DeLaGarza joins New England following 12 MLS seasons with the LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo, and Inter Miami CF.

"It is a pleasure to welcome A.J. DeLaGarza to the New England Revolution. I've known A.J. for a number of years and know he will be a great addition to our team," Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. "A.J. is an experienced defender who can play all positions across the backline. He is a great professional, an excellent communicator, and a tactically sound player. We look forward to working with him in New England."

DeLaGarza, 33, has registered 266 appearances, including 258 starts, with two goals and eight assists across 12 MLS seasons. His extensive postseason career includes 17 appearances, 14 starts, and two assists in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Bryans Road, Md. native spent his first eight MLS campaigns with LA Galaxy, where he made 204 appearances and won three MLS Cup titles (2011, 2012 and 2014) and two Supporters' Shields (2010, 2011) under Bruce Arena. He totaled 20 or more appearances in six consecutive seasons with the Galaxy from 2011-2016, earning the club's Defender of the Year honors in 2012 and 2014.

Ahead of the 2017 season, DeLaGarza was acquired via trade by the Houston Dynamo, where he made 57 starts over three seasons (2017-19). In 2020, he joined Inter Miami CF as a free agent and recorded five appearances, plus one in the postseason, during the club's inaugural campaign.

On the international stage, DeLaGarza represented both the United States and Guam before retiring from international competition in April 2020. He collected two international caps with the United States before committing to his ancestral Guam in 2013, registering 14 caps.

DeLaGarza played four years of collegiate soccer at the University of Maryland, helping lead the Terrapins to two NCAA National Championships in 2005 and 2008. He made 88 appearances across four seasons with the Terrapins, and also helped claim the 2008 ACC Championship.

In 2014, he was named the MLS Humanitarian of the year for his work with the Luca Knows Heart Foundation, which he and his wife created after losing their newborn son to complications from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect.

TRANSACTION: New England Revolution signed defender A.J. DeLaGarza as a free agent on Jan. 7, 2021.

A.J. DeLaGarza at a Glance:

Versatile defender joins Revolution for 13th MLS season with 266 career appearances for the LA Galaxy (2009-2016), Houston Dynamo (2017-2019), and Inter Miami CF (2020).

A three-time MLS Cup Champion and two-time Supporters' Shield winner with LA Galaxy.

Ranks among the top 20 active MLS players in games played, games started, and minutes played.

Represented the United States and Guam before retiring from international competition in 2020.

Played four seasons of collegiate soccer at Maryland, winning NCAA National Championships in 2005 and 2008.

Voted MLS Humanitarian of the Year in 2014 for his work with the Luca Knows Heart Foundation.

A.J. DeLaGarza

Full Name: Adolph Joseph DeLaGarza

Pronunciation: DAY-la-GAR-za

Position: Defender

Height: 5-9

Weight: 150

Date of Birth: 11/04/87 (Bryans Road, Md.)

Hometown: Bryans Road, Md.

Nationality: United States & Guam

Previous Experience: Inter Miami CF (2020), Houston Dynamo (2017-2019), Los Angeles Galaxy (2009-2016)

Acquired: Signed by New England as a free agent on Jan. 7, 2021.

Twitter: @AJD_20

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from January 7, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central