Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder A.J. DeLaGarza’s infant son Luca has passed away. De la Garza announced the sad news via Twitter earlier today.
Heaven gained another angel yesterday. He touched the ♡ of many people & will forever be remembered. #LucaKnowsHeart pic.twitter.com/uHgb4WYHtU
— AJ DeLaGarza (@AJD_20) September 5, 2014
Luca had a heart condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which meant some of the structures on the left side of his heart had not been formed correctly. Luca was taken off life support in order to prepare for the second heart surgery of his young life. He died Thursday, before the surgery could be completed.
The Galaxy will hold a moment of silence for Luca when they play the Rapids tonight, and fans will be asked to stand and clap during the 20th minute (DeLaGarza wears number 20).
The University of Maryland (where DeLaGarza played college soccer) will also hold a moment of silence when they host the University of Maryland-Baltimore County later tonight.