A.J. DeLaGarza and Omar Gonzalez say they are having the time of their lives in their rookie seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Gonzalez has become a fixture on the back line since opening day and has started all 16 games. DeLaGarza has 10 starts to his credit. But they also have discovered there are some drawbacks to their new lives as professional soccer players.
DeLaGarza, for example, said he can't help but notice the MLS regular season still has 14 games remaining. Last year at this time, when he was playing at the University of Maryland, the season was coming to a close. Gonzalez admitted to being a little homesick; he hasn't been able to see his friends and family in his hometown of Dallas in almost a year.
"I was there for the College Cup last year, but that's not really visiting," Gonzalez said. "But I'm getting used to it."
The newcomers have been two reasons why the Galaxy (4-3-9) are tied for fourth in the Western Conference and are on a two-game winning streak entering Saturday's game with archrival Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center. Gonzalez, taken third overall in the first round of this year's draft, and DeLaGarza (second round, 19th overall) have impressed coaches and teammates with their heady play.
"They're doing well," Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. "Every time out they're learning. Omar actually has done very well ... he hasn't really gotten the kind of credit he deserves. And A.J. has been very solid the last three or four weeks."
Veteran defender Gregg Berhalter said DeLaGarza and Gonzalez have been even better than expected.
"They both have quality," he said. "If anything, I would say A.J. has been a little bit surprising with his tenacity. He just keeps coming back ... his resilience is amazing. He takes a beating some games but keeps coming, keeps fighting and hanging in there. That's been great. Omar has been very steady.
"I've always said it takes time. It's not easy being a rookie coping with the physical demands of a professional season, the physicalness of the league. I think they're both doing well and both adapting well."
DeLaGarza said the toughness of MLS players like Houston's Brian Ching and Kei Kamara was eye-opening at first.
"Guys like that are powerful and put themselves in good position to win balls," he said. "It's definitely a lot tougher than I thought."
Gonzalez said he struggled earlier this season -- a daily occurrence at practice was seeing and hearing the demanding Berhalter yelling instructions at him -- but the progress of the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder has prompted Berhalter to tone down his outbursts.
"I started off a lot slower than I would have liked," Gonzalez admitted. "But every game I'm getting better and better and I'm pleased with where I am now."
Both rookies said they have been fairly satisfied with their performances to date.
"I think so," DeLaGarza said. "It's been a long season thus far, and I'm definitely happy with where I am. But there's always room for improvement. I just want to keep working hard in practice and hopefully get the call on the weekend."
"I'm pleased with how things have gone," Gonzalez said. "I love it. There's no other way to say it."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
