Greg Vanney made the latest addition to his coaching staff on Thursday, adding Robin Fraser as an assistant coach.

Fraser most recently served as an assistant to former New York Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke for two seasons.

Familiarity breeds comfort. It also allows a relationship to withstand tests brought forth by the rigors of the season. Vanney and Fraser go way back. They were a centre-back tandem with the LA Galaxy during the late 90s - Fraser the veteran and Vanney the youngster, fresh on the scene. Later they worked together at Real Salt Lake and then at Chivas USA, where Vanney served as an assistant to Fraser, who was the head coach there for two seasons.

When asked what he remembers about Vanney as a player, the former United States international flashed a wide grin.

“When we started playing together I was 29 and Greg was 21,” Fraser told reporters at the KIA Training Ground. “He had just come out of college and I had been a national team player for a number of years. I played left centre-back and he played right next to me.”

“Greg was always observing. He was a pretty quiet kid initially, but it became very clear he was one of those guys that was always learning.”

They shared two major traits: strong work ethic and a thirst for thinking about the game from a variety of different angles.

“We forged a good friendship really quickly,” Fraser continued.

“For me [Robin] was a competitor and a leader that was always good for young players,” Vanney added.

The former Chivas USA head coach brings a wealth of MLS experience to Toronto FC. As an assistant at Real Salt Lake, Fraser helped the club move from also ran status to a legitimate contender.

“It was great to be part of a group that transformed a below average side into what is obviously a very good team,” he said.

“Every situation is different. The groundwork is already laid here. Greg has done a tremendous job getting everything ready and I really feel this is going to be another one of those situations where you get together, do things right and get the results you want.”

TFC’s head coach is clearly pleased with Fraser’s addition to his staff.

Greg Vanney Interview - Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3

“He’s a big [addition] on a number of levels,” Vanney said. “From the first team side Robin comes here with a lot of experience.”

Because their relationship is so strong, built on a foundation several years in the making, Vanney can rely on Fraser to ditch platitudes in favour of thought provoking rebuttals.

“We have very similar visions for the team and the game, but we’re very good at challenging each other,” Vanney stated.

From the beginning of his tenure Vanney has stressed how unique this league is and experience is so important. In Fraser, a person that has found success as a player and as a coach, TFC is adding someone who knows what it takes to win from both sides.

“Robin’s well respected around the league. It’s great to add his knowledge as well as his experience to the staff.”

TFC’s coaching staff now head to Florida for the MLS scouting combine in Fort Lauderdale and then Philadelphia for the SuperDraft on January 15th.