It’s been more than a decade since Sigi Schmid coached a team to the end of an MLS season without reaching the playoffs. It’s been nearly as long since the Galaxy missed the postseason.
Yet both those streaks are in danger of ending this year as the Galaxy and their new coach limp toward the regular-season finish line with only the narrowest of paths still open to the playoffs. And now that’s a journey the team appears ready to take without its captain, two-time MLS All-Star Jelle Van Damme.
The Galaxy are about to sign off on a deal that will send Van Damme home to Belgium, where he is expected to join Royal Antwerp of the Belgium first division.