Latest news with #Vanney
Los Angeles Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
For LAFC's Mark Delgado, it'll be ‘weird' playing against Galaxy in El Tráfico
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. '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.' 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.' 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. '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.' 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.' 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.'
San Francisco Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
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.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Amid historically poor start, Galaxy extends coach Greg Vanney
Countering speculation that Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney might be relieved of his duties following a brutal start to the season, the club instead signed the 50-year-old to a contract extension. According to the Athletic, Vanney's extension is for three years through the 2028 season and will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in MLS -- highest among those who don't also have sporting director duties. The actual financial terms were not reported. The club won the sixth MLS Cup title in club history last season despite missing star midfielder Riqui Puig due to an ACL injury. That title triggered a one-year extension for Vanney through this season. Amid some roster changes, while Puig remains out, Los Angeles has gotten off to a disastrous 0-10-3 start this season. No MLS club has ever gone 13 games to start a season without a victory. The contract extension comes as the club lauded Vanney's "vision" for the road ahead. "Greg is one of the most respected and successful coaches in MLS history and we are excited to be continuing under his leadership," general manager Will Kuntz said in a release. "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." Vanney played seven seasons with the Galaxy, starting his MLS career with the club from 1996-2001. He played four seasons in France before returning to MLS with FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids and D.C. United, then finished his playing days with the Galaxy in 2008. Vanney led the Galaxy to a 19-8-7 record in the 2024 regular season, which was capped by a run through the playoffs that culminated with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final. He has a 54-56-39 record in five seasons as Galaxy head coach. He previously coached Toronto FC from 2014-20. "I'm honored to continue this journey with a club that has meant so much to me," Vanney said in a release. "We know we haven't started this season the way we intended, but we believe in the group, in the process, and in what we're building. I'm fully committed to our players, our fans, and this organization, and I'm excited for what's ahead." In addition to signing Vanney to an extension, the club hired Ravi Ramineni to the newly created role of director of quantitative analysis, promoted former midfielder Juninho to senior advisor to the general manager, and promoted Zack Murshedi to director of team administration and player care. --Field Level Media REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Fox Sports
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Galaxy give contract extension to coach Greg Vanney amid 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 on 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 cup. 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. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience MLS LA Galaxy Get more from MLS Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
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. ___ AP soccer:
