If you wanted some good news on a Monday, in what has generally been an abysmal August, well then we don’t have any for you.
Jelle Van Damme tweeted out his injury prognosis and, while it’s not horrible, it’s not great for a team that still has 8 games remaining and their last midweek game coming up next week.
Going for a scan tomorrow,hope it's going to be alright!🙏🏻 #workhard #gettingstronger… https://t.co/fAy6ub565y
— jelle van damme (@jelle_van_damme) August 29, 2016
Sprain in mcl.2-3 weeks out,so let's try for 2!!💪🏻 #LAGalaxy
— jelle van damme (@jelle_van_damme) August 29, 2016
Van Damme says that he has sprained his (Left) MCL and that he’ll be out for 2-3 weeks. And while his tweet seems to be optimistic in looking at 2 weeks, the LA Galaxy can hardly afford to have their most influential player off the field right now. Van Damme should easily win the team MVP vote after the season and there’s a strong possibility that he’s the best Defender in Major League Soccer this year.
The LA Galaxy’s schedule is unfortunately busy in the next two weeks. While they don’t play midweek this week, they’ll play on Saturday vs Columbus (9.3.2016), Wednesday at Real Salt Lake (9.7.2016) and then Back home the following Sunday for a matchup with Orland City (9.11.2016). Those are all games that Van Damme could possibly miss. It’s probably wise to expect Jelle Van Damme is a possibility for the September 18th game at Sporting KC.
But the injuries are mounting for the LA Galaxy with Steven Gerrard and Gyasi Zardes both having to leave the game early on Saturday in a 0-0 draw with Vancouver. And if reports are true, Nigel De Jong – while perfectly healthy – may be on his way to Galatasaray in Turkey almost immediately on a transfer. The Galaxy are looking thin for their game against Columbus and beyond.
However, if a positive attitude can speed up recovery then Van Damme should be ready by noon tomorrow (we wish). Regardless of their current standing, and no matter how good the defense does while everyone waits his return, the bottom line is that the LA Galaxy need Jelle Van Damme if they’re to have any hope of making a late season push for an MLS Cup.