CARSON, Calif. — Greg Vanney has returned to the LA Galaxy with the ambition to reestablish the team as a leading force in Major League Soccer.
This coming Saturday marks a potential milestone for the Galaxy as they face the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final, a chance to claim their sixth championship and their first since 2014. Following a dismal finish to the 2023 season, where they ranked near the bottom of the Western Conference, this turnaround could be one of the most remarkable in the league’s history.
“This club is where I began my professional career and where I eventually stepped away from playing. My return signifies home to me, both as a player and now as a coach,” Vanney explained on Thursday. “I returned because I wanted to play a role in restoring this club to its legacy of vying for titles.”
Currently in his fourth season coaching the Galaxy, Vanney has both player and managerial experience with the team, having played for the Galaxy from 1996 to 2001 and again in 2008. He previously led Toronto FC for nearly seven years, achieving two MLS Cup finals, culminating in a championship victory in 2018.
During his time as a defender with the Galaxy, Vanney contributed to the team’s acquisition of the Supporters’ Shield, the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, and the U.S. Open Cup. Although he competed in three MLS Cup finals, including the league’s first season in 1996, he was unable to secure a win.
“I’ve experienced three losses in finals, so my aim now is to shift that experience and elevate this club once again,” he remarked.
The Galaxy has seen a notable decline from its glory days with stars like David Beckham and Landon Donovan, losing its status as one of the league’s dominant franchises.
Following its inception in 2018, Los Angeles Football Club quickly emerged as one of the top contenders, clinching the title in 2022. Additionally, Inter Miami FC became the league’s focal point after signing superstar Lionel Messi. Ironically, it was David Beckham who was granted the opportunity to establish an expansion team, which would eventually be Miami, when he joined MLS and the Galaxy in 2007.
Vanney’s tenure has not been without struggles; his first three seasons as coach had the Galaxy missing the playoffs twice, including last year’s tough campaign where injuries left the team with an 8-14-12 record, marking the franchise’s lowest performance ever. Nevertheless, Vanney remained confident that the behind-the-scenes improvements would yield better results moving forward.
“I take pride in the collective efforts made over the years to help rejuvenate this club,” Vanney noted. “I truly believe that a championship-winning team requires comprehensive infrastructure, not just talent on the field. It took us some time to piece everything together, but we’ve effectively built a solid foundation.”
With the acquisition of forwards Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec as designated players, the Galaxy’s on-field performance has greatly improved, effectively replacing Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Douglas Costa, who faced issues during their times with the club.
Pec shone brightly this season, earning the MLS Newcomer of the Year honor with an impressive tally of 16 goals and 14 assists during the regular season, making him the fourth player in franchise history to achieve over 30 goal contributions. He also made a key impact in the playoffs, scoring a pivotal goal in the 75th minute to secure the Galaxy’s spot in the MLS Cup final against Seattle. Paintsil has also made his mark, recording 10 goals and 10 assists through the regular season.
Pec and Paintsil have been instrumental in supporting established players like Riqui Puig and Dejan Joveljic, contributing to a total of 69 goals for the Galaxy during the regular season, leading the West and ranking third in the league overall.
Unfortunately, Puig will not participate in Saturday’s final due to a torn ACL suffered in last week’s Western Conference final. He had recorded four goals and four assists in four playoff matches.
“Last year posed an array of challenges for our group, but we persevered through them. I firmly believe that our struggles last year have paved the way for what we can achieve this season,” Vanney shared. “We understood that having two open DP slots would provide us with the chance to find the right players to fit our vision.”
Securing the second seed in the Western Conference allows the Galaxy to host the final. They boast a remarkable 16-0-3 record at Dignity Health Sports Park this season, hoping to become the third consecutive team to secure the championship after failing to make the playoffs the previous year.
