Arena is out

[ChrTh]

In an announcement that probably comes as a surprise to nobody (a hermit in Appalachia was quizzed on the matter, and he too saw it coming), Arena will be leaving at the end of the year. Link:

U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati announced Friday that U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bruce Arena, the longest-tenured national team coach in the world, will not return to the U.S. team after his contract expires at the end of the year.

Reactions? Thoughts? Replacements?

 

[Red Door]

Reaction = good.
Replacements = Klinngsman?

 

[Panda]

He did a good job while he was at it. But a first-round-out is a kiss of death for any coach.

Maybe something positive will come out of this. New people with new ideas et al.

 

[Elta]

Granted it's probably just a rumor but rumor's on sports center say that the U.S. may be getting italy's coach *crosses fingers*

 

[Dell19]

He did a good job while he was at it. But a first-round-out is a kiss of death for any coach.

Unless it was an achievement to qualify.

 

[SoCalian]

in which case they go to Poland.

Granted it's probably just a rumor but rumor's on sports center say that the U.S. may be getting italy's coach *crosses fingers*

Whaaa?!?! I could swear that everything waslining up for JK to takeover.

 

[Rossiya]

never mind, it's only the american coach.

in europe, where people play football, america was not expected to get past the first round. arena did well to get to germany, let alone scrape that draw with gli azzurri.

 

[SoCalian]

us Qualifying from CONCACAF is like using a machete to fight your way out of a paper bag. It's not that hard to do for us or Mexico, and Costa Rica is getting to that point too.

 

[Dell19]

Granted it's probably just a rumor but rumor's on sports center say that the U.S. may be getting italy's coach *crosses fingers*

The rumour here was that he was going to United.

 

[Rossiya]

us Qualifying from CONCACAF is like using a machete to fight your way out of a paper bag. It's not that hard to do for us or Mexico, and Costa Rica is getting to that point too.

honduras aint bad.

EDIT: does nobody seem to know the italian guy's name? it's marcello lippi. for all you americans, that's pronounced (mar-chell-oh lee-pee).

 

[Dell19]

us Qualifying from CONCACAF is like using a machete to fight your way out of a paper bag. It's not that hard to do for us or Mexico, and Costa Rica is getting to that point too.

I think you have to be realistic though that the USA came up against a Czech republic side that put in a top class performance but suffered the loss of Koller which made them easier to beat. Ghana and Italy were always going to be tough matches as well. Basically to get out of that group would have been a massive achievement although it is probably time to pick a new coach.

 

[SoCalian]

oh, I'm not saying that it isn't time, I'm just saying that grenada makes us look like brazil in qualifying. thats the kind of competition we're up against.

 

[downtown]

Yeah, our region is pretty weak. I expect the Americans to qualify every WC from now on.
Arena wasn't a bad coach, but we had a murder group, and some unlucky breaks. There is some good young talent left after these geezers go on (although Ill miss you McBride...sniff...). If the MLS makes a step forward, 2010 could be much better

 

[SoCalian]

MLS really needs to switch to a standard leauge schedule so Taht we can be more competative in on the international level. I don't really buy the trying not to compete with the NFL argument any more, because most of the season it would be up against the NBA and NHL. NHL is relatively small, and nobody watches the NBA outside of the playoffs. If they changed it so that the season was in winter, then players would be in form come world cup time, and not strugling to regain match fittness. It would also free up the summer so there would be no conflict with Copa America, Gold Cup, or Confederations cup. It would also be better for the clubs, because then CONCACAF champions cup games wouldn't be the first games they play in the season, months before the leuage season starts. All in all, we would be more competative in club and national competitions. We also need to get back into the Copa America to get experience against quality opposition. We also need to win the gold cup this time aroundso we can get a bid to the Confederations cup for the same reason.

 

[downtown]

You want us to play in the winter? Dude, have you been to Chicago or Columbus in the winter before? Soccer was not meant to be played in 4 inches of snow

 

[Rossiya]

You want us to play in the winter? Dude, have you been to Chicago or Columbus in the winter before? Soccer was not meant to be played in 4 inches of snow

he is californian, he has never heard of snow.

 

[Dell19]

How often does it snow in London?

 

[Rossiya]

How often does it snow in London?

not often, granted.

 

[Gr3yL3gion]

Or move your league to Brazil.

 

[Dell19]

To get more snow?