Coaching Clinic: Greg Vanney's gameplan leads LA Galaxy to 5-0 win over Colorado
Greg Vanney and the LA Galaxy send warning shot to Western Conference during 5-0 win over the Rapids in Game 1
Lights. Camera. Action.
The LA Galaxy’s dominant 5-0 win over the Colorado Rapids in Game 1 of the First Round set the tone for the Galaxy’s quest for its sixth MLS Cup. It also turns the heads of pundits who have yet to call the Galaxy contenders of MLS’ ultimate prize.
A lot, and I mean a lot, of the credit for this victory has to go to Head Coach Greg Vanney.
In the offseason, I said Vanney staying with the club was a massive risk considering the LA Galaxy had the chance to have a clean slate with new Designated Players and coaching staff.
Boy, was I wrong.
Vanney had made Toronto FC a powerhouse and one of the best MLS squads of all time in the late 2010s. His stock among his peers and MLS viewers skyrocketed, but mediocre years to start his LA Galaxy tenure had stunted his popularity. Even after one of the best LA Galaxy seasons in club history, Vanney doesn’t get the praise and recognition he deserves.
MLS announced its Coach of the Year finalists, which included Inter Miami’s Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Columbus’ Wilfred Nancy, and Rapid’s Chris Armas. Vanney - who managed the LA Galaxy to 2nd place in the Western Conference after finishing 13th the prior year- was not among the final nominees.
Going up against Armas’ Rapids not only gives Vanney the chance to show he can outcoach his opponents but also a way to show- he’s still that guy.
Vanney won’t ever say that out loud, but his competitive spirit is as strong as it was during his playing days.
“[Vanney] been great, and like you said, he has a lot of experience. This week was everything. In the playoffs, we need to set the tone and set the intensity. He did that right from -- not just this week, but of course [because of] playoffs, training was intense,” said John Nelson postgame.
“Defensively, we needed to do that, and that's what he talked about the whole week. Like you saw tonight, we were relentless. We were fouling. We weren't giving them anything. So the whole week’s focus was to counter press defensively, and we know we're going to score goals. We showed that tonight.”
With defense being the tone all week in training, Vanney’s squad executed the best defensive performance of the entire season. With people still questioning the Galaxy’s defense, the game plan shut down Aramas’ Rapids, with MLS viewers across the country watching.
The Rapids recorded only one shot in 90 minutes of action, and it was way over the bar from 30 yards out. The visitors recorded an xG of 0.03 - the season's lowest total. While the Rapids did not have their best playmaker in Djordje Mihailovic, the Galaxy played like an elite team that never let have a hold on the game in the penalty box.
The LA Galaxy limited the Colorado Rapids to nine touches in the penalty box during Game 1. The Rapids recorded 31 and 20 touches in the penalty box during the two regular season matches.
The Galaxy have had “Bend but Don’t Break” performances on the defense end this season, but they didn’t even bend a little on Saturday night. If the Galaxy's defense is your biggest doubt about the club, this performance could be your “hallelujah moment” to view LA as legit contenders.
“I thought it was a very clean performance, and probably one of the best. I can't remember all 34 at this point, 35 now, but it was definitely one of the best ones, I think, and at a good time,” said Vanney about this performance.
Emiro Garces has proved to be an excellent addition to the club, and his long adjustment period has proved to be worth it, as he looks like he’s been playing all season long. Maya Yoshida remains a rock in the backline as the Galaxy head into more high-pressure games. John Nelson, who scored an absolute banger for his first career MLS goal, continues to be a work hose on the left side of the backline. Miki Yamane’s work, on the other side, doesn’t go unnoticed; he doesn’t make mistakes that cost you games or put the Galaxy in any danger.
The game plan was on point - Vanney deserves his praises as much as the players who put five goals in the back of the net. As Vanney has proved for most of his coaching career, he will analyze and find a way to gain a tactical advantage.
“Tactically, [Greg Vanney] is very good, as you know. My job is controlling the game on the pitch and to make them more solid, especially young players like Miki [Yamane] or Julian [Aude] for example. I think we have a good balance between the coach and me,” said LA Galaxy captain Maya Yoshida.
Vanney has developed excellent attacking patterns with the club’s wingers and playmakers that cut through the Rapids but being able to keep them from being a threat was most impressive.
As I said on X, the decision to have Armas over Vanney on the list of nominees for MLS Coach of the Year is looking like a real head-scratcher at the moment. There is still one game left to go in this series, but Vanney can outcoach his opponent to give the checkmate on Friday night in Colorado.
For as much as the LA Galaxy wants to regain its respect across MLS, Vanney is also on a mission to do the same.