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L.A. Galaxy’s A.J. DeLaGarza participates in a shooting drill in Laos as other members of the Matao, Guam men’s national football team, observe. The professional athlete will be in Guam for meet-and-greet sessions for the community.

PRESS RELEASE – L.A. Galaxy star defender A.J. DeLaGarza’s first-ever visit to Guam will include special meet-and-greet sessions with the local community and youth soccer players beginning Friday, Nov. 22.

“I’ve never been to Guam, but I’ve been wanting to go there for a long time,” said DeLaGarza, who currently is on a Southeast Asia tour with the Matao, Guam national football team. “For soccer reasons, it’s never been able to happen, but now I have the opportunity to go there. Being able to see family and also meet kids from youth programs – it’s going to be exciting.”

DeLaGarza will attend Friday’s National Academy training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. On Saturday, DeLaGarza will facilitate an hour-long activity session for youth players from 2:30 p.m. at GFA’s upper natural grass field with other members of the Matao. For soccer moms, DeLaGarza will make an appearance at GFA during the Soccer Moms League matches Nov. 24.

“This is a huge opportunity for the community to meet a major league athlete who represents Guam on the international stage,” said Matao head coach Gary White. “This is also especially for our future elite players who want to follow in his footsteps through our GFA developmental pathways and possibly one day play side by side with AJ and other professionals on the Matao team.”

The 26-year-old defender was drafted by the MLS’ L.A. Galaxy in 2009 and made his professional debut in the team’s first game of 2009 against DC United. Also on the L.A. Galaxy roster are Landon Donovan, U.S. national team captain, and Robbie Keane from Ireland, among other notable professionals. He also has played alongside David Beckham when the former English national captain was still with the team. The L.A. Galaxy is one of the MLS’ most decorated clubs with four MLS Cup championships, including the 2012 championship.

DeLaGarza committed his international playing future to Guam in August this year and recently joined the Matao for a series of November FIFA friendly matches in Laos and Cambodia. DeLaGarza will stop over in Guam for four days before heading back to California from Cambodia.

L.A. Galaxy’s A.J. DeLaGarza, center, second row, poses with the Matao in a recent group photo in Laos. Also in the photo are, front row: Julius Campos, Equipment Manager, Ian Lawton, Team Physiotherapist, James Okuhama, 1st Assistant Coach, Gary White, Head Coach, Dominic Gadia, 2nd Assistant Coach, Joseph Roberto, Team Manager; middle row: Dylan Naputi, Ian Adamos, Scott Leon Guerrero, Erik Ustruck, A.J. DeLaGarza, Jason Cunliffe, Ryan Guy, Micah Paulino, Jonahan Romero, Mark Chargualaf; back row: Douglas Herrick, John Matkin, Shawn Nicklaw, Travis Nicklaw, Joshua Borja, Ian Mariano, and Bijan Gloston. (courtesy photo)

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