Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy became the first Black coach to lift MLS Cup, with the Frenchman revealing how 'proud' he is of that.
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Columbus Crew lift MLS CupNancy first Black coach to win titleInsists more opportunities need to be made for persons of colorWHAT HAPPENED?
Following their MLS Cup victory, the Crew boss was asked during his press conference what being the first Black head coach to lift MSL Cup meant to him, while also noting that it's a disappointing statistic. Columbus defeated LAFC 2-1 to lift the trophy, with the first-year boss inking his name in histroy.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Nancy's success in year one with the Crew needs to be applauded and recognized. He was beyond brilliant and his attacking-minded tactics simply blew LAFC away during MLS Cup. However, it's also well-noted that the Frenchman was and is the only active Black head coach across the league. After Robin Fraser's dismissal from his post with the Colorado Rapids earlier this year, Nancy became the lone person left.
His claims can be backed up by factual evidence, that in fact, he is the first to win MLS Cup but also the only one in the league.
WHAT NANCY SAID
"I'm so proud of that," Nancy said after the match. "There is a lot of courage behind that. But I'm not happy at the same time. Because it's not normal. Simple as that… This is something that has to change."
Nancy was able to revel in a job well done after the win as he capped off his first season with the team in ideal fashion. Nancy was hired by the club during his past offseason, with the Crew paying CF Montreal for the right to hire the club's then-head coach.
The decision certainly worked for Nancy and the Crew, who celebrated the league's big trophy on Saturday.
"They have grown a lot as players, and as people," he told AppleTV after the game. "When we started, I told them 'Guys, impossible is an opinion'– just enjoy it and we're gonna grow. And this is what happened. This is unbelievable…We played our way. I'm so proud".
USA Today Sports WHAT NEXT FOR CREW AND NANCY
The Crew will go about celebrating their epic MLS Cup triumph over the next few days, before getting back to business next week. The first and most important is the MLS Superdraft on December 19, with preseason starting come the new year.