Rivalry Renewed: A New Chapter Begins in the Greg Vanney and Brian Schmetzer Rivalry
The most prominent theme of the 2024 LA Galaxy is resurgence - getting back to MLS Cup-winning level and having the best players in the league. The club’s run to the Western Conference Finals has reignited the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders playoff rivalry and the Greg Vanney and Brian Schmetzer rivalry.
“I look forward to seeing [Schmetzer] and I'm sure we'll have a good laugh before the game because this is the fourth or fifth time in the last nine years that we've been in this type of match where it's all the marbles,” said Vanney during his midweek presser.
Vanney, a tactician known for his possession-based approach, contrasts with Schmetzer's more adaptive and pragmatic-driven style. Schmetzer’s Seattle has built a reputation for inspiring performances, often emphasizing defensive discipline and counter-attacking moments.
The pair of coaches faced each other in three MLS Cups in 2016,2017, and 2019 when Vanney was in charge of Toronto FC. Vanney’s 2016 Toronto FC side didn’t allow a shot on target during the final and lost in a penalty shootout as the Sounders won its first MLS Cup. The Canadian side got revenge the following year with a 2-0 win as Vanney and Toronto won their first MLS Cup. The 2019 final in Seattle saw the Sounders triumph over Vanney’s Toronto side.
Now, five years later, both managers will face each other again in a high-stakes playoff game.
“I look forward to playing against [Schmetzer’s] teams. They're always just so difficult to play against,” said Vanney.
“Knowing him, as much as anything, he's going to have this team ready to compete and to fight, battle, and to play every single play like it's the biggest play in the game, that's what makes his team so special.”
Vanney, in his fourth season managing his former club, has guided the LA Galaxy back to winning ways with some of the best players in MLS. The Galaxy’s attack with Riqui Puig, Joseph Paintsil, and Gabriel Pec is putting up one of the best-attacking outputs in MLS Cup Playoff history.
It has taken some time, but Vanney has made the LA Galaxy have the same fear that his Toronto FC teams had in the late 2010s.
During the Sounders press conference, Schmetzer praised Vanney for what he’d done this season but mentioned there is no personal motivation heading into this matchup. Schmetzer and Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei said they don’t view the LA Galaxy as rivals like they once did in the early 2010s.
Schmetzer might not view Vanney’s LA Galaxy as a rival because he’s dominated this matchup. Vanney has a record of 4W-10L-3D in his coaching career against Brian Schmetzer across all competitions. Since Vanney took over the LA Galaxy in 2021, he’s only beaten Seattle once in MLS play and another time during the early rounds of the U.S. Open Cup.
Playoffs are a different animal and the perfect time to rewrite any negative narrative. A Western Conference title and a ticket to MLS Cup are on the line on Saturday night.
One important aspect of a coach aside from tactics is man management. You want players to empty the tank and have full faith in the tactical game plan. Having a player’s trust goes a long way in keeping the squad morale high and building that collective belief.
“I won't say much but [Vanney] is really like a father. He really talks really calmly with us, and as a player that's what we really need. We don't need a coach who shouts and make you angry. Whenever there is something, he always comes to you as his own son and discuss with you patiently and calmly,” said Joseph Paintsil about Vanney’s impact on him this season following LA’s 6-2 win over Minnesota.
“I really thank the coaches, and not only him but the people that's involved and giving me a couple of days and also seeing my family was also important. Because I didn't know even if it was in Belgium, I would have had that kind of opportunity”.
It’s fair to say Vanney is a popular figure for his team, and how he treats his players makes them want to play for him. The players know this chance to play in MLS Cup doesn’t come often and will approach this game like it is the MLS Cup Final. I’m positive the players want to help Vanney get this victory over Schmetzer as they look to keep proving the doubters wrong this season.
The rivalry isn't just wins and losses—it represents two contrasting soccer ideologies clashing at the highest level in MLS. While the battles are fierce, the mutual respect between the coaches is noticeable following their pressers, each recognizing the other's ability to inspire and lead. As both teams continue to fight for dominance in MLS and beyond, this coaching rivalry remains a compelling story in American soccer history. Saturday night will mark a new start to this chapter between Vanney and palpable - you’ll be watching MLS history unfold.