MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Acquires Defender Greg Vanney

Published on March 24, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


Dallas, Tex. – FC Dallas President and General Manager Greg Elliott announced today that the team has acquired defender Greg Vanney. Per club policy, specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Vanney, 30, has played the past four seasons with FC Bastia of the French First Division. In 53 appearances with Bastia, he made seven starts after joining the team on February 1, 2002.

"This is a very exciting day for FC Dallas," said Head Coach Colin Clarke. "Greg has proven to be a strong defender on the highest levels of soccer having played in Major League Soccer for six years, in the French First Division for four years and being a National Team member since 1996.

"We are thrilled to have him on our side and look forward to his contributions to our soccer club this season."

Prior to heading to France, Vanney played six seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy from 1996-2001. While with Los Angeles, he helped lead the team to three MLS Cup Finals appearances in 1996, 1999 and in 2001. During his final year with Los Angeles in 2001, the team won the 2001 U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but was defeated in the MLS Cup Final. Following the 2001 campaign, he was named to the MLS Best XI.

The 5-11, 169-pound defender was drafted in the second round (17th overall) by the Galaxy in the 1996 MLS College Draft out of UCLA. During his rookie season of 1996, he scored four goals of which two came in back-to-back matches against Kansas City during the Western Conference Finals sending Los Angeles to the 1996 MLS Cup.

A U.S. National Team veteran, Vanney has earned at least one appearance with the U.S. every year since 1996. He has 32 career caps with the National Team, making his debut as a substitute in a 2-2 draw against Guatemala in San Salvador during a key World Cup qualifying match in 1996. Set to replace the injured Chris Armas on the World Cup roster in 2002, he suffered an MCL sprain against Jamaica on May 16, 2002, and was unable to travel to Korea.

"I'm really looking forward to coming back to the states and competing with an up and coming team like FC Dallas," said Vanney. "I enjoyed my time in France, but felt like this opportunity with FC Dallas was something I could not pass up.

"I will give my teammates and the FC Dallas fans the very best I have to offer."

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