Many emotions for Greg Vanney

For the first time since leaving Toronto FC in December 2020, Greg Vanney was back for a match in the Queen City. The Los Angeles Galaxy head coach went through the gamut of emotions Wednesday night.

The former American international is without a doubt the most important coach in the history of the “Reds”. He ended up on the sidelines for 250 games, in which Toronto went 112-82-56.

With him, the Ontario team won the first MLS Cup in its history, in 2017, in addition to four Canadian championships. Vanney was thus named coach of the year in Major League Soccer (MLS) and in CONCACAF the year of his great triumph.

“I had all kinds of emotions, said the main interested party after Wednesday’s meeting, at a press conference. I have seen so many people again, there is a lot of love here with these people with whom I have spent so much time and accomplished so much. It was already emotional and then there is the competitive aspect. You want to come here to win and inspire guys to be intense. […] These are other emotions.

Incredible endgame

The Galaxy actually went after Vanney in her feelings. In the 89th minute, Riqui Puig scored his first goal for the team to tie the game 2-2. Eight minutes earlier, Federico Bernardeschi had kicked in a penalty shot for Toronto.

This draw verdict thus looked like a victory for the visitors’ coach.

“It was a bit of a weird week for me, but the guys did what they had to do and stayed focused on the game. For me and for the coaching staff it was different because there are several friends here. It was good to be back in this stadium, the crowd was great,” said Vanney, whose men are undefeated in their last four meetings.

Both clubs are battling for a place in the playoffs, each just a few points off seventh place in their respective association. Toronto will also be CF Montreal’s next opponent on Sunday at BMO Field.