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Jelle Van Damme has Galaxy on edge of playoff breakthrough

Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme speaks four languages and understands a couple more, which is natural for someone who grew up in Belgium.

While his English vocabulary remains a work in progress, he’s already mastered a number of colorful — if unprintable — terms for use in the team’s pregame huddle.

“When I’m fired up, when I hyped up, that’s the way I speak,” Van Damme said. “I think a lot of guys speak like that when you’re hyped up.”

Van Damme’s actions have spoken even louder than his words, making him a big reason why the Galaxy need only a draw in Sunday’s playoff game at Colorado (11 a.