CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 2016 was a tumultuous one filled with brilliant goals and frustrating moments for Bruce Arena’s men, ultimately ending in a penalty kick shootout defeat in the Western Conference Semifinals.
As we look back on 2016, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will provide a review on each position. The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with goalkeepers and then move up the field to defenders, midfielders and forwards. Several select players will also have their own review, based on the number of appearances made.
JELLE VAN DAMME
GP: 34 (28 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 34 (28 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup)
G: 0
A: 5 (Four in regular season, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
HIGHLIGHTS:
In his first season with the club, Jelle Van Damme put forth one of the best seasons ever by an LA Galaxy defender.
Signed in the offseason from Standard Liege, Van Damme quickly solidified himself as one of the top center backs in Major League Soccer. Van Damme’s physical presence and veteran leadership filled the void left by the departure of Omar Gonzalez, while also blossoming into an offensive weapon with his deft passing ability.
Van Damme’s experienced presence not only helped the Galaxy concede just 39 goals this season, but as also instrumental in the growth of Daniel Steres into a regular starter for Los Angeles. The stat sheet showcased his dominance as the Belgian averaged five clearances, four interceptions, and a pair of tackles in 28 league appearances.
On the offensive side, Van Damme enjoyed one of the best attacking season ever for a center back with five assists across all competitions, one of the highest marks ever by a Galaxy central defender.Due to his success, Van Damme was voted the club’s Defender of the Year by media and was nominated for the league’s Defender of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors.
Van Damme’s hard-crashing style quickly endeared him to Galaxy supporters’ who were vocal in the support of the Belgian on social media. For his stellar play in his first season with the Galaxy, Van Damme was awarded the LA Riot Squad’s Player of the Year award.
LOWLIGHTS:
Low points were few and far between for Jelle Van Damme in his debut season with the LA Galaxy.
One of the team’s most consistent performers, Van Damme endured his most difficult performance early on in the season during the team’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series with Santos Laguna. In the decisive second leg in Torreon, Van Damme struggled as the Galaxy were bounced from the CCL after a 4-0 defeat.
Perhaps the most frustrating individual part for the Belgian was his inability to find the back of the net. Despite having 24 shots, Van Damme was never able to bag his first goal for the Galaxy. He’ll likely have plenty of opportunities to open his account for the club next season.
OVERVIEW:
As the LA Galaxy head into the 2017 campaign, Jelle Van Damme is expected to remain a cornerstone of the Galaxy’s defense.
Club president Chris Klein told reporters earlier this week that the Galaxy will continue to build around the 33-year-old defender in the years to come. As successful as Van Damme was in 2016, it is important to remember that the campaign was his first full year of playing in central defense after a career of lining up at outside back.
Ahead of the 2017 season, even more will be expected from the Belgian, who will be asked to not only marshal the defense, but also offer an attacking weapon from the back four.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
