What's the LA Galaxy Coach's Connection to Their Last Opponent

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·14 de julho de 2025

What's the LA Galaxy Coach's Connection to Their Last Opponent

Saturday's win was big for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Not only was it the team's first time winning back-to-back games, but their head coach extracted a measure of revenge on their opponent, D.C. United.

Greg Vanney was a member of the 1996 MLS Finals squad, as well as the 1999 one. Both years, the LA Galaxy fell short in capturing their first-ever league championship. Instead, D.C. United hoisted their first and third title in those years, respectively.

Vídeos OneFootball

Vanney appeared in 168 games for the LA Galaxy from their inaugural season in 1996 through 2001. After his first tenure with the Galaxy, he went to play for French soccer club Bastia and then FC Dallas. Vanney missed out on his original team winning their first and second MLS Cup Finals (2002 and 2005).

"We didn't have many leads at the beginning of the year. But I think we held steady. We did what we needed to do. We took the three points, and we move on to the next one. So, I thought we had a good sort of resiliency at the end, so, yeah. Confidence is high and guys are ready to move on to the next one to keep momentum moving in our favor."Greg Vanney, ex-LA Galaxy & D.C player

In the 2007 season, the LA Galaxy head coach also split time with the Colorado Rapids and D.C. United. He played a combined 24 games between both franchises.

During his final year in MLS as a player, Vanney returned to the Los Angeles Galaxy for 25 more games in 2008.

Fast forward to present day, the South Boston, Virginia native has won two MLS Cup Finals managing from the sidelines. First in 2017, he won a championship with FC Toronto. His nephew and current LA Galaxy player, Eriq Zavaleta, was also on the team.

The two family members accomplished the same feat last season. Former LA Galaxy and current LAFC midfielder Marky Delgado was a part of both championships, too.

LA Galaxy v D.C. United | Shaun Clark/GettyImages

How did Vanney feel about Saturday's win over D.C United?

His former team, United, is responsible for not having two MLS Cup titles as a player. Vanney lost out in a pair of defeats in 1996 and 1999. He wasn't with the team, in 2002 or 2005 for those titles, either.

"I think it's a couple of things for me that's important. One is connecting with my players on an individual level. Understanding that every player who plays the game, they want to win. They want to improve as a player. They want to enjoy what they're doing, and they want to feel like somebody cares about them in the process. "Greg Vanney, head coach of the LA Galaxy

Sure, the LA Galaxy may not make the playoffs this season and are at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference. However, they looked and played like champions against D.C. United. Call it what you want, but it feels good to win, especially against a former team and foe.