LA Galaxy Insider

Jelle Van Damme finishes runner-up in MLS Defender of the Year voting | INSIDER

jelle van damme

CARSON, Calif. -- LA Galaxy center back Jelle Van Damme finished in second place to FC Dallas' Matt Hedges for the MLS Defender of the Year award. 


The Galaxy's Belgian defender earned 20.57 percent of the vote compared to Hedges' 24.39 percent split.  Van Damme was a revelation for the Galaxy in his first season with the club, making 28 appearances and notching four assists in central defense. 


The complete voting breakdown can be found below:

<strong><u>Defender of the Year</u></strong>
<strong><u>Player Vote %</u></strong>
<strong><u>Media Vote %</u></strong>
<strong><u>Club Vote %</u></strong>
<strong><u>Average %</u></strong>
<p>Matt Hedges (DAL)</p>
<p>21.77%</p>
<p>19.81%</p>
<p>31.58%</p>
<p>24.39%</p>
<p>Jelle Van Damme (LA)</p>
<p>19.73%</p>
<p>16.98%</p>
<p>25.00%</p>
<p>20.57%</p>
<p>Axel Sjoberg (COL)</p>
<p>6.80%</p>
<p>28.30%</p>
<p>15.79%</p>
<p>16.96%</p>
<p>Walker Zimmerman (DAL)</p>
<p>7.48%</p>
<p>12.26%</p>
<p>6.58%</p>
<p>8.78%</p>
<p>Steve Birnbaum (DC)</p>
<p>10.20%</p>
<p>3.77%</p>
<p>3.95%</p>
<p>5.97%</p>