Greg Vanney aiming to etch his name LA Galaxy history, Mark Delgado ready to compete for MLS Cup at home
Greg Vanney couldn’t immortalize his name as an MLS Cup winner with the LA Galaxy during his playing days but has the opportunity to do so on Saturday as coach of the franchise.
Southern California is the genesis of Vanney’s soccer career. He played his college ball at UCLA from 1993 to 1995 before getting drafted 17th overall by the LA Galaxy in 1996. He led the Galaxy to three MLS Cup Finals and two CONCACAF Champion's Cup Finals. He was named to the MLS Best XI in 2000 and 2001 and an MLS All-Star in 2001 during the early days of his career, but he couldn’t win MLS Cup with the Galaxy.
“The objective here is to win it and put the stamp on it and say you've been here, because a lot of it's been about sixth trophy,” said Vanney during Tuesday’s presser. “Rewriting, sort of a new group of players, and a new legacy for the organization. We're one game away, and I think the group is locked in and they're focused and confident,” added Vanney.
This project began in 2021 with Vanney’s hire, and it’s been a long road for the club to get back into being one of the elite clubs in MLS.
It took bad Designated Player signings to show the club it needed to modernize its transfer strategy for today’s MLS. A fan boycott led to infrastructure changes that saw former LA Galaxy President Chris Klein be let go from his position to shuttle in a culture change at the club.
The Galaxy came roaring back in 2024 as a wounded animal that wanted to reclaim its throne. Vanney and the LA Galaxy were successful at bringing in signings to bolster key areas. The fanbase had gotten behind the organization and made Dignity Health Sports Park a fortress and location where the Galaxy remains undefeated.
Should LA win MLS Cup, Vanney will forever have a legacy at the club where his professional career began. He will be remembered as the coach who brought the LA Galaxy back to being a powerhouse.
“The expectation is to be in games like this and to win trophies and championships. [The expectation is] to be part of a group that's helped us navigate back to this point and find a group of players who have been able to manage the burden that comes with the legacy of a team like this and be able to own that and come out and compete,” he told reporters.
Vanney can end the nightmares of losing MLS Cup with the Galaxy on Saturday afternoon. Those scars of his playing career can become small blemishes if he’s lifting the Galaxy’s sixth MLS Cup. But should he lose, it will be a brutal reminder of how hard it is to get that fairy tale ending in sports.
Vanney has been part of every major step of Mark Delgado’s career. From Delgado’s youth days at Chivas USA, breaking out as a consistent starter with Toronto FC, to now trying to be part of the team that wins the Galaxy’s sixth MLS Cup.
Delgado is a Southern California native who grew up around when Vanney’s Galaxy playing career began. The Galaxy was the area's only major local soccer club and became Delagdo’s team growing up.
“Seeing throwback photos of [Vanney] and the team, and Dan [Calichman] and Gato [Kevin Hartman], all these other guys who I've grew up watching and now I'm on the other side of it where I'm representing them. You definitely can create something really special,” said Delgado on Tuesday afternoon.
“I want to be part of that history, and I want to make people proud and hopefully create more history, and put another star on that badge,” said Delgado
The LA Galaxy started making positive strides when Delgado was acquired heading into the 2022 season. His familiarity with Vanney’s system, combined with his elite work rate, made him one of the most underrated midfielders in the league. He won’t score goals or assist but will indeed do all the dirty work needed to push the Galaxy into the win column. Players with those attributes are needed on title-winning teams.
Delgado changed the game for the LA Galaxy when he entered the match against the Seattle Sounders last week for Marco Reus. He fit perfectly in the midfield, and the team's rhythm didn’t skip a beat with Delgado’s presence.
As the MLS Cup Final approaches, Delgado told reporters he was feeling his best physically and mentally. The 2024 campaign is Delgado’s 12th full season playing in MLS.
“I've been really feeling like I've been turning a corner and getting back to where I was before. Mentally, I'm clear minded and and playing freely and and locked in as well,” he said.
“Physically, I'm getting back to where I was, definitely strong, explosive, shifty, making runs, and just all around locked in with a lot of clarity. So definitely feeling really good going into this game.
This is a great thing to hear from an LA Galaxy perspective, as Riqui Puig will miss the MLS Cup after tearing his ACL, and Reus’ status is up in the air as he is dealing with a groin problem.
The Galaxy won’t be able to fill the Puig-shaped hole in their midfield on Saturday, but Delgado can take charge of the midfield and take on a bigger role for the club. There is no greater motivation than defending your home and establishing your legacy for your boyhood team - that’s what Delgado is fighting for on Saturday.
Delgado is solid. I knew I was understanding the game better when i understood how valuable he is on the field. His contributions dont always show up on stat sheets but he contributes in major ways. When he is not on the pitch we are weaker.
I really think that Delgado and Fagundez are needed on Saturday to make the team solid to ensure a Cup final win. Neither of them is Riqui but they are both great footballers who can help propel this team.