Latest news with #GregVanney
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5️⃣ must-watch matches this weekend in MLS
After midweek action across the US Open Cup, MLS returns once again this weekend with a bevy of intriguing fixtures to please the footballing palate. Headlined by a pair of massive Eastern Conference clashes, let's take a look at five must-watch matches this weekend during matchday start in Southern California and inaugural MLS side San Diego FC, who look to continue their impressive first season under Mikey Varas when they host bottom-dwelling LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium. The two sides could not be any more different in 2025, with SDFC boasting an outside chance of challenging for the top spot in the West, while the Galaxy will be lucky to even make the post-season despite being the current MLS Cup holders. Six goals. Six assists. 14 matches. 😤Anders Dreyer is having a fairytale start with @sandiegofc.📰: — Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 22, 2025 Headlined by budding league star Anders Dreyer, San Diego has been one of the feel-good stories of the season. But if there was ever a time for Greg Vanney and company to bag a much-needed result, it's this we swap coasts and head to Subaru Park as a hot Philadelphia Union outfit welcomes Lionel Messi and a faltering Inter Miami side to the City of Brotherly Love. Sitting atop the pile in the East, the Union are the form side across MLS, banking four wins and a draw in their last five league outings while currently boasting the highest rate of return in the final third to the tune of 27 goals scored. As for Javier Mascherano's troops, the Herons have secured all three points in just one of their previous five MLS fixtures while falling well off the pace in a season where many expected them to once again be in the Supporters' Shield conversation. Preparation in the works 💪⚽ — Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 23, 2025 Should Philly win, it would be hard to argue that Bradley Carnell's side would not cement their place as favorites to top the Conference come the end of the season, while even greater questions will be asked regarding what has happened in South down south, Orlando City is set for a tricky test in front of home support when Phil Neville's Portland Timbers rock up to Inter&Co Stadium, in a clash of two sides looking to close the gap to the top positions in their respective Conferences. Óscar Pareja's outfit is one of the toughest clubs to beat this season, having booked three wins in two draws in their previous five outings, with the Lions putting themselves in striking distance of climbing into third in the East. Portland, who sit fourth in the West, are no slouches either and could climb as high as second should they win on the road. However, back-to-back draws against Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders that featured just one goal scored, highlight an inconsistency in the final third which could be their undoing against a free-scoring of America Stadium is the venue for the fourth of five must-watch matches this weekend when a free-falling Charlotte FC plays host to a dangerous Columbus Crew side under Wilfried Nancy. After a phenomenal start to 2025 with Dean Smith at the helm and the arrival of Wilfried Zaha, the Crown has hit a wall while rapidly plummeting down the table on the back of five straight losses in MLS and the possibility of crashing out of the post-season conversation this weekend. As for Columbus, three consecutive draws have put the Crew off the scent of the top spot in the Conference temporarily while only sitting just two points adrift of the aforementioned Philly and FC Cincinnati respectively. Masters of garnering results away from home, they will no doubt fancy their chances this we close out our preview at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the tall task of Atlanta United finding points against an elite FC Cincinnati side who are joint-top in the Supporters' Shield race. One of the biggest disappointments across the 2025 season at the halfway marker, the Five Stripes are languishing just one place off the basement in the East while failing to win any of their previous five fixtures despite a high-powered attack, at least on paper. While it's all gone wrong in Georgia, Cincy has enjoyed the season on the back of the arrivals of Evander and Kévin Denkey, who have helped propel Patrick Noonan's team into a position of potential hegemony in the Conference. Kindness goes a long way. 🫶Take a behind the scenes look at Kévin giving back in the newest episode of Juncta Juvant. 🎥 — FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) May 22, 2025 On paper, this looks to only go one way, but Atlanta is capable of banking a shock result if they can get it right on the pitch across 90 minutes. 📸 Editorial Photo Credit: © Albert Cesare/The En | 2025 May 10-Imagn Images
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Galaxy give multi-year contract extension to coach Greg Vanney while mired in historic winless skid
Head coach Greg Vanney has been given a multi-year contract extension by the defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy despite their historic 13-game winless skid to start the new season. The Galaxy announced the deal Friday for Vanney even though the club has 10 losses and three draws in the worst start to a season by any team in MLS history. Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said the decision to keep Vanney for the long term was made last year. Vanney, a two-time MLS Cup champion coach, was previously under contract only through the current season. "Greg is one of the most respected and successful coaches in MLS history, and we are excited to be continuing under his leadership," Kuntz said in a statement. "While this season's results haven't reflected our standards, this was a decision made following our 2024 MLS Cup victory, and we remain confident in the project we are building with Greg and we have a clear path forward to returning to an MLS champion level. Greg's commitment to development, culture, and high standards is unwavering." Vanney led the Galaxy to their MLS-record sixth league title last season in a stunning turnaround for a team that had almost no success in the previous decade since winning the 2014 title. LA finished second in the Western Conference before streaking through the playoffs and beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 at home in the MLS Cup Final. Vanney also won the MLS Cup and reached three MLS Cup Finals during his lengthy tenure with Toronto before the former Galaxy defender returned to his native Southern California in 2021. The Galaxy made the playoffs in two of Vanney's first four seasons in charge. But the new season has been horrific for the Galaxy without star midfielder Riqui Puig, who led MLS in touches last season by a wide margin before he tore a knee ligament in the conference final. Forward Dejan Joveljic, midfielder Mark Delgado and MLS Cup MVP Gastón Brugman were among the contributors who had to be moved in the offseason due to the salary cap constraints annually created for MLS champions. Designated players Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec and Marco Reus all returned for the new season, but all have struggled with injuries — and the Galaxy are foundering with just three points from 13 games. The Galaxy have earned one victory this season, beating Herediano 4-1 in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match in March. The Galaxy lost 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City earlier this month despite not giving up a shot, falling on an own-goal by Maya Yoshida. LA then matched the worst margin of defeat in MLS history during a 7-0 drubbing from the Red Bulls. The Galaxy lost 3-2 to Philadelphia on Wednesday. They host Los Angeles FC on Sunday night in the El Tráfico rivalry game.
Mint
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
LAFC, L.A. Galaxy renew El Trafico rivalry moving in different directions
As this season's first edition of the El Trafico rivalry arrives Sunday, the Los Angeles Galaxy have yet to even enter the highway much less use the passing lane as they prepare to host Los Angeles FC. After winning a championship last season, the Galaxy have yet to win a game in 2025, with their 0-10-3 record representing the longest a team has gone at the outset of a schedule without a victory in MLS history. And yet, even with all their struggles, the club elected Friday to extend the contract of head coach Greg Vanney through the 2028 season. "After you win a championship and things transpire after the championship, you're going to lose some key players," Vanney said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "The key thing in any challenging moments is that you have a plan and a method and a way to get out of it." The Galaxy looked poised for a breakthrough Wednesday on the road against the Philadelphia Union, taking a 2-0 lead at halftime. But they gave up two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half before allowing the game-winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Meanwhile, Los Angeles FC (6-4-3, 21 points) will send midfielder Mark Delgado up against his former team Saturday as they try to extend a six-game unbeaten streak (3-0-3). Delgado took over in the midfield during the Galaxy's MLS Cup final for an injured Riqui Puig and delivered the assist on the game-winning goal. That team-oriented play has continued, with Delgado's three assists this season tied for the LAFC lead. Delgado, Sergi Palencia and Nathan Ordaz are the only LAFC players who have seen time in all 13 league games this season. LAFC enters Saturday's rivalry clash coming off its highest-scoring game in a 4-0 victory at home against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday. Denis Bouanga scored to increase his team lead to six goals. "I would say for the last five weeks now, we've been on a very good path, very consistent," LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. "Guys are doing the little things right again, and I think you are seeing that in the performances, first and foremost, and then the results." With three goals over his next eight games, Bouanga will become the 15th player with 50 goals in 90 MLS games or fewer. The Galaxy hold a slim 10-9-5 advantage on LAFC across all competitions. LAFC won two of the three matches last season.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
For LAFC's Mark Delgado, it'll be 'weird' playing against Galaxy in El Tráfico
LAFC's Mark Delgado controls the ball during a match against Portland in April. Delgado will see the other side of the El Tráfico rivalry for the first time on Sunday. (Soobum Im / Getty Images) Mark Delgado has known Greg Vanney since he was 13. 'We're definitely close,' the LAFC midfielder said of the coach he played for in three MLS Cup finals. So it's been difficult for Delgado to watch from afar as Vanney's Galaxy team, the one Delgado played for last season, has struggled through the worst start in franchise history. Advertisement 'I definitely hope, personally, things go better for him,' Delgado said of Vanney, who got a multiyear contract extension Friday, one that reportedly makes him the best-paid manager in MLS. 'I hope Greg can get things turned around.' Read more: Galaxy sign coach Greg Vanney to contract extension amid franchise-record winless start As long as that turnaround starts next weekend since Delgado returns Sunday to Dignity Health Sports Park for the first time since December's MLS Cup final. Only this time he'll be wearing the black and gold of LAFC, the Galaxy's bitter rival. 'Yeah, definitely. I want to come out on top,' he said. 'It's kind of a weird situation. You don't wish them too well because you want to do well yourself.' Advertisement A weird situation is also an apt description of Delgado's last five months. Six weeks after capping a career-best season by assisting on the winning goal in the Cup final, Delgado was traded 12 miles up the Harbor Freeway to LAFC, a sacrifice to the league's paltry salary cap. The Galaxy (0-10-3) haven't won since but Delgado has thrived. Not only did LAFC (6-4-3) give him a multiyear contract with a raise from the $876,250 he made last season, but he's tied for the team lead with three assists and is one of just three players to appear in all 13 MLS games for a team that hasn't lost a league game in six weeks and is fifth in the Western Conference table. And he's done that despite playing under a coach not named Greg Vanney for just the second time in 11 seasons. Galaxy coach Greg Vanney celebrates after a win over Seattle in the Western Conference final on Nov. 30. The defending MLS Cup champion Galaxy is winless through its first 13 games of the season. (Etienne Laurent / Associated Press) 'Coming to a new team, a different view of things, may take a little time,' said Delgado, who played under Vanney in Toronto and with the Galaxy after breaking in as a teenager with Chivas USA, where Vanney was an assistant coach. 'I'm a guy who can take in information and change on the fly as well. I think my ability to do things passing and how I see the field, [my] work rate covering ground, helps.' Advertisement His leadership and experience is also important. Although he just turned 30 on May 9, Delgado is in his 14th MLS season and his 340 appearances, including playoffs, ranks ninth among active players, according to Transfermarkt. No other LAFC player is close. He's also the only man to have played for all three of Southern California's MLS teams, Chivas USA, the Galaxy and LAFC. Yet none of that, he said, has prepared him for changing sides in El Tráfico. 'It is definitely a different look,' he said. 'But at the end of the day it's a Derby. Once that whistle blows and we're on the field, I'm locked in.' Read more: Mark Delgado ready to embark on 'next chapter' as part of LAFC roster overhaul Advertisement The crosstown rivalry has grown into the most passionate in MLS but most of that bad blood is felt in the stands. On the field, Delgado said, the feeling is more one of mutual admiration regardless of the colors you're wearing. 'I don't know what goes on between the two fans bases, but I know as players there's a level of respect. Everyone has their own journey of getting here. Everyone has their own battles,' he said. And his fight Sunday will be for LAFC. So while he feels for his former teammates, he'd like nothing better than to see them suffer for at least one more week. 'I have an emotional attachment with the club over there. But I'm over here, right?' he said. 'I have duties over here and I'm working on doing my part and finding success for this club.' This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LA Galaxy extend head coach Greg Vanney amid 13-game winless run
The LA Galaxy have announced a contract extension for head coach Greg Vanney, seeing the two-time MLS Cup winner commit his future to the club through 2028. Interestingly, this extension comes in the midst of a historic 13-game winless run for the reigning MLS Cup champions, who have not won since securing the title against the New York Red Bulls. Greg is one of the most respected and successful coaches in MLS history, and we are excited to be continuing under his leadership,' said LA Galaxy General Manager, Will Kuntz. 'While this season's results haven't reflected our standards, this was a decision made following our 2024 MLS Cup victory and we remain confident in the project we are building with Greg, and we have a clear path forward to returning to an MLS champion level." The new contract will reportedly see Vanney become one of the highest paid coaches in MLS. According to further reports, the extension was already in the works once the club secured MLS Cup last December but the details needed to be finalized. Furthermore, the Galaxy are hiring Ravi Ramineni to the front office. Ramineni previously worked for the Seattle Sounders and is a highly-respected analyst around the league. 📸 Harry How - 2025 Getty Images
