CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy are aiming to win their sixth MLS Cup in 2016, and on Friday the club unveiled to key new pieces that will help them to reach their goal: Ashley Cole and Jelle Van Damme.
The two new signings were presented to the media at a press conference on Friday at StubHub Center. Although both players arrive in Los Angeles with tons of experience at the highest levels of European and international soccer, the pair were excited for their new challenge in the United States.
“This is a new challenge and a new adventure for me,” Cole told reporters. “I was born to play hard and to win things. I don’t come here with anything different. My mindset is to come and win trophies.”
Added Van Damme, “I’ll bring everything that I have. I’m a physical player. I’ve been welcomed by the team and everyone…There’s a lot of respect in the dressing room.”
Cole arrives with an impressive resume, having spent time with Arsenal, Chelsea and AS Roma as well as an illustrious career with the English national team. Considered one of the top left backs of his generation, the 35-year-old defender won a total of 16 major trophies during his time in Europe.
Van Damme also comes highly touted with a career that features stops in Belgium, Germany and England. A physical presence in the back four, Van Damme is expected to slide into the central defensive spot vacated by Omar Gonzalez.
“These two players check all the boxes,” Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said. “They’re good people; good players and I think they’re going to contribute greatly to the team this year.”
The signings of big names like Cole, Van Damme, and Nigel de Jong to accompany a roster that includes Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Giovani dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes will certainly generate headlines and expectations for the year to come.
Although plenty of attention will be on the Galaxy in 2016 thanks to their new names, none of it matters unless the team once again lifts MLS Cup.
“Certainly they have name recognition, but at the end of the day, they have to win trophies,” Galaxy president Chris Klein said. “We didn’t make these signings based on the number of shirts that we can sell. We made these signings based on the number of trophies we can win.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
