Page 76 - Soccer360 Issue 107

MLS FOCUS
RIGHT:
It hasn’t been the easiest start to life as a head coach in Los Angeles
for Vanney, but he has managed to turn things around in 2024.
TOP, OPPOSITE PAGE:
The Galaxy have returned to competing at the top of the Western Conference
“THE GALAXY WOULD ONLYMAKETHE PLAY-OFFS ONCE IN VANNEY’S FIRST THREE SEASONS IN LA”
TURNAROUND IN TINSELTOWN
MARCO D’ONOFRIO TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO HOW GREG VANNEY AND WILL KUNTZ HAVE MANAGED TO TURN THE LOS ANGELES GALAXY INTO A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER AGAIN.
When Greg Vanney decided to leave Toronto FC and head back to
the club where he spent seven seasons as a player, Los Angeles Galaxy fans were immediately optimistic. After all, Vanney had worked miracles in Toronto taking the laughingstock of the league
and turning them into MLS Cup champions, leading them to the MLS Cup Final in three of four years between 2016 and 2019.
The Galaxy organization was confident
that Vanney would be able to lead the team back to the glory days after some disappointing campaigns. He had taken over in January 2021, after they had missed out on the Major League Soccer play-offs in three of the previous four years.
“We are thrilled that Greg is returning to the LA Galaxy as our Head Coach,” said former club President Chris Klein at the time of Vanney’s appointment. “Greg is focused
on building a culture that will serve as the foundation of this club. He is detail-
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