CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy central defender Jelle Van Damme was a late addition to the MLS All-Star roster, but that doesn’t underscore his achievement according to his fellow central defender Daniel Steres.
Van Damme was named to the All-Star squad on Tuesday after injuries befell first choice selections Liam Ridgewell and Matt Besler. The Belgian defender will join teammate Giovani dos Santos for Thursday’s clash with Arsenal FC at San Jose’s Avaya Stadium.
The Van Damme and Steres partnership in central defense have been integral to a defense that has conceded just two goals in their last six matches, and only 19 tallies this year.
With the defense quietly turning the corner, Steres admits to feeling great pride at Van Damme’s inclusion in the roster.
“Our defense has done really well all year," Steres told LAGalaxy.com. "He’s leading it, and he’s a big presence in there. I’m glad and proud that he gets to represent our team and our defense because we’ve done a pretty good job this year. It’s awesome.”
