US Soccer re-hires Bruce Arena

[patdog]

Link

I think this is a good move. It's not a home run hire by any means, but you're not likely to make a home run hire at this point in the qualification process and in the middle of the seasons for the big soccer leagues. He knows US soccer and the players as well as anyone, he's been successful everywhere he's coached, and he'll be able to step in and hit the ground running. I know some are concerned about his comments about having US players, but the fact it he had foreign nationals on his teams just like Bradley and Klinsmann did.

 

[PonderThis1]

Is that permanent or temp?

 

[MSUDC11]

Getting the 2002 team to the QF was just shy of a miracle. But Arena also was in charge in 2006 when we had a terrible World Cup. I'm iffy on the hire but he has done well at LA Galaxy the last eight years.

Klinsmann had a terrible start and a terrible ending with some good in between. 2013 was a really good year for US soccer and getting out of the Group of Death in Brazil has to be considered a success. But it's been all downhill from there.

I understand that we aren't Germany or Argentina in soccer, but we play in the Sun Belt of international soccer federations when it comes to WC Qualifying. No excuse for us to be clearly the third best team in CONCACAF.

 

[patdog]

I'm not even sure it's clear we've been the 3rd best in CONCACAF over the last 18 months. Two bad draws and a bad loss at home in the Gold Cup (none to Mexico or Costa Rica) and with 2 games left in the last round of qualification we were in real danger of not even advancing to the Hexagonal out of a group with Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

 

[KurtRambis4]

They've contracted him through 18, but

many are saying this is temp.

 

[patdog]

Probably depends on how the rest of qualification goes. If we go 6-1-1 the rest of the way, I think you have to let him stay on for the World Cup. But if we qualify like Mexico did in 2014 with only 2 wins and 5 draws and advance through a play-in with Uzbekistan, maybe you find a new coach for the World Cup.

 

[KurtRambis4]

He was just interviewed, live,

on the Fox CL, post-game show. I don't have a link, but I'm sure one will be up, later.

Oh and FORZA JUVE!!!