CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy central defender Jelle Van Damme was overjoyed by being nominated for the MLS Defender of the Year and MLS Newcomer of the Year prizes.
The 33-year-old Belgian defender has been a revelation for the Galaxy in his first season with the club since being brought in during the offseason from Standard Liege.
Van Damme made 29 appearances during the regular season and also started in both of the Galaxy’s MLS Cup playoff matches. The talented Belgian anchored a Galaxy defense that conceded just 39 goals this season, while also contributing on the offensive end with five assists in all competitions.
“It’s good. It’s always nice to be able to [nominated] for personal prizes, but at the end of the day, I’m a team player,” Van Damme told LA Galaxy Insider. “I’d rather just win the MLS Cup than any personal stuff. It’s welcome and I appreciate it. It would be an honor to win.”
