Galaxy D Vanney to retire

Oct 26, 2008 - 6:36 PM CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Galaxy defender Greg Vanney announced on Sunday that he will retire at the end of the season.

His final game will be Sunday's home showdown against FC Dallas in the teams' regular-season finale. The Galaxy (8-13-8) missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Vanney, a former second-round pick out of UCLA, spent seven of his 12 professional seasons with the Galaxy. He recorded 21 goals and 19 assists over his first six seasons with the club from 1996-2001, then returned to the club this season and has started all 24 games in which he has appeared.

"While it is a bittersweet feeling to be ending my career today, I'm happy that I am able to do so with the Galaxy where I started my career," Vanney said. "I've had the privilege of playing on some great teams, for great coaches with a number of great teammates, and those are experiences that I will take with me forever."

Vanney has also played for FC Dallas, the Colorado Rapids, D.C. United and SC Bastia of the French First Division.