AJ DeLaGarza has been added to LA Galaxy's leadership group and is looking to make a positive impact.
The 24-year old defender has been thrown into the role following the serious knee injury sustained by Omar Gonzalez and after partnering first-year player Tommy Meyer in central defense in a pre-season loss to Houston Dynamo, is ready to step up and help guide the younger players.
"[Meyer is] still learning that role to take leadership as well and he's doing fine at it. Not too many times [has the defense] been broken down in these first few games, so it looks pretty good.
"I was never really coached," he added. "When Gregg [Berhalter] was here, he kind of focused on Omar and I was always being moved around, so I'm still learning the center back position as well. But, whatever I learned from what Tony Sanneh told me or Gregg or Omar, I can pay it forward.""I'm trying to take that leadership role and talk to everyone around me," DeLaGarza said.