The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me
The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me is a podcast dedicated to young soccer players and their families who dream of going pro. Hosted by soccer mom Megan Linke and her son Liam, this show brings in professional players, coaches, and industry experts to share their journeys and offer insights into what it takes to climb the ranks in the soccer world. Whether you're just starting or already on the path, we provide real stories, practical advice, and inspiration to help you reach the next level.
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The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me
Episode 20: Longevity, Loss, and Letting the Game Teach You – with A.J. DeLaGarza
MLS veteran. U.S. National Team defender. College champion. Youth trainer. In this episode, A.J. DeLaGarza opens up about what it really takes to have a 14-year career in Major League Soccer—and the moments on and off the field that shaped him most. From Maryland to Miami, and Galaxy to Gold Den, A.J. shares the mindset, heart, and leadership it takes to stay at the top, adapt through change, and give back to the next generation.
🔥 Inside This Episode:
⚽️ How winning two national championships at Maryland prepared him for the pro level
⚽️ What consistency, versatility, and adaptability meant in his 14-year MLS career
⚽️ Playing alongside legends like David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Ashley Cole
⚽️ His most defining moments—from ACL tears to playing out of position to speaking up to coaches
⚽️ Creating The Goalden in Charlotte to fight burnout and build joy in the game again
⚽️ His most powerful moment of overcoming grief—finding healing on the pitch after losing his son in 2014
⚽️ His current work with Photon Sports and how data + recovery are changing the game
⚽️ Why being prepared when your number is called is everything
⚡️ Rapid Fire:
- Messi or Ronaldo?
- Toughest opponent he ever faced
- The match he wishes he could replay
- Locker room prank stories 😂
📲 Connect & Follow:
🎧 Guest: A.J. DeLaGarza — @ajd_20
Training Facility: @thegoalden704
👟 Podcast Host: @meganlinkeofficial
🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and give us a comment on instagram @meganlinkeoffical let us know your thoughts on this episode.
#TheSoccerLadder #AJDeLaGarza #MLSLegend #TheGoalden #YouthSoccer #SoccerPodcast #SoccerJourney #SoccerLeadership #SoccerDevelopment #MLS #SoccerParents #CollegeToPro #Futsal #PhotonSports #SoccerRecovery #SoccerResilience