Photo by Tim Heitman/ USA Today Sports
By TATE STEINLAGE
LA Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza has been named Major League Soccer’s 2014 WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, the league announced Tuesday.
Finalists for the 2014 WORKS Humanitarian of the Year included FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd and Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara. DeLaGarza took the honor with over four times as many votes as any other player.
DeLaGarza’s year has been filled with adversity. In April, his son Luca was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect known as “Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome” before being born. News spread and the soccer and sports world responded with an outpouring of love, highlighted by the “Luca Knows Heart” campaign where thousands joined the DeLaGarza family in support of his young son.
DeLaGarza responded admirably himself, helping raise over $25,000 for the Heart Center at CHLA in support of families affected by the condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome affects 1 out of every 4,344 babies born in the United States every year.
Luca passed away on Sept. 5. A.J. and his wife, Megan, made the announcement with a tweet that read, “Heaven gained another angel yesterday.” Galaxy fans honored Luca’s life on Sept. 5 prior to their match against the Colorado Rapids with a moment of silence, followed by applause during the 20th minute of the match (A.J. dons No. 20 in honor of Luca’s memory).
On top of his work relating to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, DeLaGarza has been a prominent figure around the Los Angeles community. He has given his time to several organizations including Campers for Kids, while also making contributions like a new soccer field in South Los Angeles.
Major League Soccer will honor DeLaGarza’s work by donating $5,000 to his choice of charity.
In five years with the LA Galaxy, DeLaGarza has helped capture two MLS Cups and Supporters’ Shields. He and the Galaxy remain in the hunt for another Cup this season. They’re currently on leg two of the Western Conference Finals against the Seattle Sounders.
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