Often times, tragedy brings people together. Strangely enough, it’s the feelings of sympathy, hurt, pain, and sadness that bring us the closest. Sometimes we unite under the most difficult circumstances, only to face tragedy in the end.
Tragedies have a way of testing the resolve of an organization. Such was the case not only for the LA Galaxy, but for Major League Soccer as a whole as it rallied in support of one of its own.
For AJ DeLaGarza, it’s been an unimaginable 4 months. DeLaGarza’s son, Luca, passed away on September 5, only a week after being born due to a rare heart defect.
Luca was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome; a condition which causes a number of structures on the left side of the heart to under-develop, preventing blood from being pumped properly through his body. According to studies, 1 in 4,344 babies are born with the rare heart defect every year in the United States.
The DeLaGarza family had known of Luca’s condition since May. The couple posted the heartbreaking news in a WordPress following the doctor’s appointment in which they were informed of the news. As the couple asked their doctor what the chances of something like this correcting itself would be they were told, “…it would take a miracle. I believe in miracles, but that’s what it would take.”
As news spread of the DeLaGarza’s situation, family, friends, and teammates began sharing support for the couple. Soon, the Luca Knows Heart campaign was inspired and being shared throughout the US Soccer community and MLS. The continued support went on throughout the summer as DeLaGarza was keeping his hands full on and off the pitch.
The night before Luca was to be born, the LA Galaxy hosted a 4-1 victory over DC United, a statement win over the Eastern Conference leader. The Galaxy players wore “Luca Knows Heart” shirts in support of the 26-year-old father-to-be.
“When I step on the field everything is forgotten off the field just for 90 minutes and it happened today,” DeLaGarza said. “It’s crazy. It’s going to be even crazier tomorrow morning when he comes out. I can’t really explain it to you, having my first kid. I’m going to have my first kid, and I don’t even know what to expect.”
The next day was nothing short of crazy for DeLaGarza. Immediately after Luca was born, he was taken into surgery to correct the left side of his heart; something the couple had been expecting, yet dreading. With DeLaGarza away from the pitch, the Galaxy’s support continued on, but magnified by tenfold. From the shirts worn during LA’s pregame to the untold number of tweets and messages of support the DeLaGarzas received, the support was endless.
The newborn was put on life support but had to be taken off of it in preparation for his second surgery in his first week of life. He passed away just before doctors were able to proceed with the surgery. DeLaGarza announced his son’s passing on Twitter
“Heaven gained another angel yesterday,” DeLaGarza wrote. “He touched the [heart] of many people and will forever be remembered. #LucaKnowsHeart.”
Following the announcement, players from all around the league took to social media to acknowledge and mourn the loss of baby Luca.
In honor of Luca, the Galaxy held a moment of silence during the pregame ceremonies of the club’s match against the Colorado Rapids the following night. On the pitch, players wore black armbands with the name LUCA on them. The LA Galaxy defeated the Colorado Rapids 6-0 in a commanding win.
“Tonight I texted [AJ DeLaGarza]. I said is there something I can do for Luca, [and] he said just get a shutout, play hard for Luca – that will mean the most,” said LA defender Omar Gonzalez. “Tonight was about something bigger than all of us, playing for his family, and it’s just great that there’s so much love here. I’m happy that we could get this win for them tonight.”
“We play a sport for a living that we tend to think it is very important, and people get carried away, I think, with the importance of it,” said Landon Donovan, who converted two penalty kicks and assisted two more goals on the night “We try to keep it all in perspective, and life is more important. And we’re just heartbroken for a teammate and for our friend Megan and their family. We do our job and get on with it, but that it doesn’t change what happened yesterday. So that’s going to be a part of our season going forward. It doesn’t mean that after tonight we forget about it. It’s still a piece of all of us that we feel is lost, and it’s a sad night.”
In addition, fans from both sides stood and applauded at the 20-minute mark to celebrate the newborn’s courageous fight during his one week of life, chanting Luca’s name.
“We had a feeling that they would all be watching,” said Donovan. “Again, it doesn’t take away the pain they’re feeling, but maybe it puts a few smiles on their faces after three or four days where they’ve had no smiles and a lot of tears.”
Only a few weeks after the passing of his newborn son, DeLaGarza immediately declined Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena’s offer for more leave.
“Bruce told me if I needed more time that he’s happy to give it to me,” DeLaGarza told LA Galaxy Insider on Saturday. “I told him ‘no.’ I’m looking for a flight in the morning and the morning after the service, I flew home.”
The Galaxy defender explained that despite his constant communication with his team during the entire ordeal, it was good getting “back in the mix and in a normal routine again.”
His wife, Megan, remains in Maryland and will return to Los Angeles this week.
“I wanted to come back here and integrate myself again,” explained DeLaGarza. “I haven’t been disconnected from anyone, but I haven’t been around for a week so I’m just excited to get back on the field.”
“It’s just been a while since I played a game. We had a good service for him and I wanted to get back as soon as possible,” he added. “That was my goal, I felt after the service that I could come back with a clear mind and get back into it.”
DeLaGarza explained that “there will never be closure”, stating he plans to take life “day-by-day”.
“I’m ready to play. It’s not like I haven’t been doing absolutely anything for two weeks. I was in and out of practice when Luca had good days and when he didn’t, I missed practice,” said DeLaGarza. “Back in Maryland, my in-laws had a gym set up so I was staying active and ready.”
As DeLaGarza prepares to get back with his Galaxy teammates, he repeatedly commended the support he and his wife received.
“The support has been amazing,” said DeLaGarza. “We were watching different games throughout the league and noticed that people were wearing armbands or holding a moment of silence or simply just messaging him during the game broadcast. That awareness is something that we’re going to continue and hopefully try to save lives of other children.”
For DeLaGarza, as for many; sometimes we need to go to that one place that takes our mind away and erases all worries. For some, it’s a feeling of freedom and release that takes away the unfathomable hurt. I know first hand, there’s nothing more liberating than feeling that ball at your feet. It’s a game, but we learn to depend on it. We depend on our team. We find strength in those around us. Sometimes it’s our immediate family, for others it’s a group of friends.
For the DeLaGarza’s, it’s more than family, friends, and teammates. It’s all of us; from LA to New York, Dallas to Chicago. It’s all of us who “knows”.
