A.J. Delagarza is in the twilight of his career with the Terrapins, but that doesn't stop him or his team from setting lofty goals for the rest of the year. Goal No. 1: an ACC Championship. He took some time (on his birthday) to talk with theACC.com about playing college soccer and the environment in College Park.
What are you doing for your birthday (Tuesday, November 4)?
Not too much. I'm going out to eat with my parents now. I'll probably just hang out with a couple guys and kick back.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
Quick Facts
Favorite Movie: Not really a movie guy
Favorite Pregame Music: Motivation by T.I.
Favorite Pregame Meal: Chicken Parm
Favorite Place on Campus: Ludwig Field |
I'm a quiet guy. I used to be a shy person. I keep to myself a lot.
When and how did you start playing soccer?
I started playing when I was four. My parents got me onto a little community soccer team by my house.
Did you play any other sports in high school?
I only played soccer (in high school), but I did play T-Ball for a few seasons. Soccer was basically all I did growing up. I played 24/7.
What club team did you play on?
I played with the Casa Mia's Bays in Baltimore for six years and we went to four national championships. We went when I was U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-19 and won when I was U-15 and U-16. We came in second in U-14 and third at U-19.
What is your most memorable moment in sports?
The second national title with the Bays and the National Championship here (at Maryland). The club title was special because of how hard we worked to get back to Nationals after winning the year before. People doubted us, but making it back and winning it two years in a row was special.
At Maryland, being able to play beside guys like Robbie Rogers, Chris Seitz and Mike Dello-Russo, guys like that, was special for me. Those are the things I remember most.
Why did you choose Maryland?
The atmosphere here is great. I had never really watched college soccer on TV, and my junior year I started looking at colleges for soccer. I was actually going to go to UVa, and then I came here for one day and the coaches were great. Sasho (Cirovski) is the most caring person ever and the guys here helped me choose Maryland.
What do you do when you're not playing soccer?
I'm usually at my place studying or hanging out with my roommates and girlfriend.
What do you want to do after college?
I want to play professional soccer in the United States a little bit and work on some things. If that works out, I'd like to go overseas somewhere and play bigger.
Who is your most influential role model?
My parents. They put so much time and effort to come watch me play. All of the time they put in, the effort they put in, the money they put it in really keeps me going, to play for them.
What is the best advice you have ever received from a coach?
The best advice I got from Sasho was that I needed to be a better practice player. Growing up I really wasn't that great of a practice player, I was called a "gamer". Practice is really important now. I would preach that to kids. Practice on your own. Practice whenever you get the chance. It really pays off when you get to college soccer and professional soccer.
You are the "Iron Man" of the team. How are you able to stay healthy and play so many minutes?
Well, I'm the smallest guy on the field. Everyone says I take a lot of hits, but I just keep going, keep fighting for my teammates. We take ice baths, which keeps me going, keeps me refreshed, keeps me getting back up and going. The adrenaline kicks in when you're playing on the field. You don't worry about minutes, you just try to play and win some games.
What does the team still hope to accomplish this season?
We hope to be the last team standing in the NCAA Tournament and the ACC Championship. That means winning every game from here on. I think we've worked so hard to get fit this summer, and we worked hard in the spring to get back where we were freshman year. Our guys are committed.
Delagarza and the Terrapins will take the field again on Friday as they host North Carolina at 8 p.m. The game will be available on ACC Select.
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