A move that had been rumored for a couple of weeks finally became official Friday as the Galaxy announced it had transferred defender and captain Jelle Van Damme to Belgium’s Royal Antwerp FC.
The Galaxy will receive $235,000.
#LAGalaxy transfer Jelle Van Damme to Royal Antwerp F.C.: https://t.co/EV4xjaZDGT pic.twitter.com/jpG9crUPhu
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) August 18, 2017
The Galaxy digital team is one of the more creative in sports and this week, that creativity reached a new level with a viral video mocking the Portland Timbers in regards to Saturday’s two fouls that led to two yellow cards for Jelle Van Damme.
Take a look for yourself. The video has been RT’d more than 37,000 times and liked nearly 54,000 times.
Sports Illustrated insider Grant Wahl reported that MLS will address the video with the Galaxy
are we doing this right? ☄️ #shootingstars #memes pic.twitter.com/8wds3Wnop8
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 13, 2017
Galaxy midfielder Giovani dos Santos and defender Jelle Van Damme were selected to the MLS Best XI, recognizing the league’s top players at each position on the field as determined by media, MLS players and MLS club staff.
In his first season with the Galaxy, Van Damme, 33, developed into the key to the Galaxy defense, making 28 starts. He was a finalist for both the MLS Defender and Newcomer of the Year awards. He ranked third in the league in blocked shots (27) and in the top 10 in interceptions (95).
Dos Santos,27, was also in his first full season with the Galaxy. He was one of two players this season to record double digits in goals scored (14) and assists (12).
Here is the complete team
2016 MLS Best XI
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)
Defenders: Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Axel Sjoberg (Colorado Rapids), Jelle Van Damme (LA Galaxy)
Midfielders: Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact)
Forwards: Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), David Villa (New York City FC), Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes will miss the remainder of the regular season with a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot, the club announced, Tuesday.
Zardes, 24, suffered the injury in Saturday’s scoreless draw against Vancouver. Zardes suffered the injury on a tackle by Vancouver’s Kendall Waston.
The injury also knocks Zardes out of the upcoming U.S. men’s national team World Cup qualifiers.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said that Zardes is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday.
Big man comin' through! #VWFC #LAvVAN pic.twitter.com/rPKxow83p1
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) August 28, 2016
Zardes wasn’t the only player to come out of Saturday’s game injured.
Monday, defender Jelle Van Damme, who was taken off in the 44th minute with a knee injury, revealed via twitter that he had a sprained MCL and is expected to be out 2-3 weeks.
Also, midfielder Steven Gerrard, who left the game in the 31st minute with a hamstring injury will be out a “couple of weeks,” according to Arena.
The Galaxy faces Columbus, Saturday at StubHub Center.
Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme was subbed out of Saturday’s game with a knee injury. The extent wasn’t available then, but the defender confirmed Monday that he has a sprained MCL.
Van Damme has been the Galaxy’s top defender this season.
https://twitter.com/jelle_van_damme/status/770348903463923712
Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme was added to the MLS All-Star Roster, Tuesday.
Van Damme has made 17 appearances for the Galaxy in his first year in MLS. The central defender has played a large role in the Galaxy’s strong defensive unit that has allowed 19 goals this season.
Van Damme joins Giovani dos Santos as the Galaxy’s representatives on the All-Star roster.
Van Damme and FC Dallas’ Kellyn Acosta were selected as replacements for Sporting Kansas City’s Matt Besler and Portland’s Liam Ridgewell.
The MLS All-Stars will face Arsenal FC, Thursday at Avaya Stadium in San Jose at 4:30 p.m., ESPN; UniMas
Photo by Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports
After injuring his leg in the first half of the Galaxy’s season opener against D.C. United, goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is likely out for the team’s game against Colorado on Saturday, head coach Bruce Arena said.
It looked as it Kennedy injured either his hamstring or groin on a goal kick, defender Daniel Steres said after the game. Arena characterized the injury simply as a “muscle strain” while the team continues to evaluate the 33-year-old goalkeeper.
Brian Rowe stepped in to goal and had five saves in the Galaxy’s 4-1 win over D.C. United. Continue reading “Galaxy injury notes: Dan Kennedy likely out for Colorado” »