Greg Vanney was born on June 11,1974 and is an American former professional soccer player and head coach of the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer.
31 Facts About Greg Vanney
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Greg Vanney earned 36 caps, scoring one goal, with the US national team between 1996 and 2006.
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In 2017, as coach of Toronto FC, Greg Vanney won the domestic treble by winning the MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield and the Canadian Championship.
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Greg Vanney played soccer for Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Arizona, and led the team to three consecutive state championship titles in 1990,1991, and 1992.
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Greg Vanney played college soccer for Florida International University in 1992, and for UCLA from 1993 to 1995.
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In 1995, Greg Vanney was named All-America honorable mention and finished his senior season with 8 goals and 10 assists.
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Greg Vanney was drafted 17th overall in the 1996 MLS College Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy.
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Greg Vanney played for the Galaxy for six years, from 1996 to 2001, and was consistently one of the best defenders in MLS, leading the Galaxy to three MLS Cup Finals and two CONCACAF Champion's Cup Finals.
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Greg Vanney was named to the MLS Best XI in both 2000 and 2001, and an MLS All-Star in 2001.
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Greg Vanney left the club in 2005, coming back to MLS and signing with FC Dallas.
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On February 15,2008, the rights for Greg Vanney were transferred to his first club, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
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Greg Vanney announced his retirement from the professional game on October 26,2008; his last game against his former club FC Dallas.
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Greg Vanney spent 11 years as a member of the United States national team, debuting December 21,1996 against Guatemala, and played 36 games and scored one goal.
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Greg Vanney participated in three FIFA World Cup qualifying cycles for the United States.
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Greg Vanney was originally named as an alternate for the 2002 FIFA World Cup but initially replaced the injured Chris Armas on the roster after the midfielder picked up an ACL injury in a warm-up friendly against Uruguay on May 12,2002.
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Greg Vanney was himself injured in the next warm-up friendly on May 16,2002, against Jamaica and was replaced on the roster by Steve Cherundolo.
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Greg Vanney was a member of the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship team and was featured in the early part of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying for the United States.
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Greg Vanney has more than 15 years experience in youth soccer: coaching, directing and consulting.
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Greg Vanney holds a USSF "A" Coaching License and has been actively involved with the US Soccer Development Academy as a scout and other programming.
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Greg Vanney co-founded Arizona Futbol Club, a youth soccer club, in 1997 using a business plan Greg Vanney started as a class assignment while attending UCLA.
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Greg Vanney was a member of the US Soccer Education Staff that traveled to Spain in March 2010.
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Greg Vanney was an Academy Director for Real Salt Lake from 2008 to 2011.
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In January 2011, Greg Vanney joined Chivas USA as an assistant coach.
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Greg Vanney got his first head coaching job in Major League Soccer when he became the ninth head coach for Toronto FC after Ryan Nelsen was dismissed on August 31,2014, with 10 games remaining in the 2014 regular season.
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Greg Vanney finished off the 2014 season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a record of two wins, six losses and two ties.
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On November 27,2017, Greg Vanney won the MLS Coach of the Year award.
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In January 2021, Greg Vanney was named as head coach of the LA Galaxy, his former club, where he played for seven seasons.
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In 2024, Greg Vanney led the Galaxy to its highest points total since 1998.
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Greg Vanney is the uncle of LA Galaxy defender Eriq Zavaleta.
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In 2009, Greg Vanney provided color commentary with play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro for Seattle Sounders FC games on FSN Northwest and KONG-TV and radio.
31.
Greg Vanney participates on the US Soccer Professional Referee Committee as well as being a representative on the US Soccer Athlete's Council.