In terms of playoff-proven defenders, Omar Gonzalez was as decorated as they come. Over the course of seven seasons, the LA Galaxy center back put 25 postseason starts on his resume. He anchored the back line to a trio of MLS Cup titles — claiming MVP honors in 2012 — and did so with three different center back partners.
That's all to emphasize that Jelle Van Damme had big shoes to fill upon joining the Galaxy from Belgian side Standard Liege this past offseason, with Gonzalez departing for Liga MX club Pachuca. While the marauding center back proved his worth beyond any doubt during the regular season, building a convincing case for Newcomer of the Year and Defender of the Year honors, his playoff acumen remained to seen.