CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme will go head-to-head with New York City striker David Villa on Saturday when the Galaxy head east to face NYCFC—and you better believe that he’s relishing the challenge.
Van Damme faces a stiff test in stopping Villa who enjoyed another successful year for the second-year club. Currently, the league’s co-leader in goals scored, Villa has notched 15 goals for NYCFC this season.
In the midst of his own banner campaign, the 32-year-old Belgian defender is looking forward to testing himself against Villa and the rest of NYCFC's stars.
“You want to challenge them. You want to show yourself and prove yourself, and we also want to win that game,” Van Damme said. “We have to be concentrated when [NYCFC] have the ball. They have their strengths and weakness though like any team. I think that you have to respect them until a certain point, but then, it’s just a soccer game.”
