Saturday's MLS Cup rematch between Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders will be a showcase for several UCLA men's soccer alums who helped both teams advance as both coaches and a part of the front office.
The Sounders have three UCLA players on its roster and staff including forward Seyi Adekoya, VP of Soccer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson and U-15 Head Coach Sean Henderson. Toronto boasts two Bruins in Technical Director and Head coach Greg Vanney and assistant coach Nick Theslof.
TFC is coming off one of the best regular seasons in MLS history and dominated en route to the Suppporters' Shield led by MLS Coach of the Year Greg Vanney. Vanney (1993-95) was a Soccer News honorable mention All-American and third team NSCAA All-Far West selection for the Bruins in 1995. He was also a two-time all-conference selection. Vanney was the hero in UCLA's 1994 Final Four run, scoring late-game goals to win the second round and quarterfinal games.
Theslof (1994-97) helped lead the Bruins to its third national championship in 1997. He was a three-time all-conference selection and led the team in assists with nine in 1996.
Adekoya (2014-16) is finishing is rookie season with the Sounders after signing a homegrown contract with the team after the 2016 season. He was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection, including being named to the first team and a NSCAA All-Far West honoree in 2015 after leading the team with 12 goals. He ended his career with 48 points (20g, 8a) including five game-winning goals in his three season in Westwood.
Chris Henderson (1989-90) was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame in 2016 after being named a NSCAA All-American first team selection and leading the Bruins to a national title in 1990. His freshman year he was named to Soccer America's All-Freshman team. Sean Henderson (1990-93) was named to the NSCAA All-Far West Team in 1993 and is a two-time all-conference selection.
The MLS Cup will take place on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. PT from BMO Field in Toronto, Canada and will be televised on ESPN.