4/26 Quote Sheet: Bruce Arena Conference Call

[IMOX77]

http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=58935&itype=113&iCategoryID=0
On Tim Howard…
“He obviously had a good year with Manchester United. He experienced some ups and downs, but mostly positives during the year. Obviously, he sat for five, six, seven games, I’m not exactly sure of the number, but is now back in the first 11. He has developed well. I’ve spoken with Tim on an off over the past month or so. I’ve not yet determined what to do with him during the summer. He’s played for a long stretch of time. Last year’s MLS preseason and regular season, then joining Manchester United, so he’s been going on for a pretty steady basis for 18 months and it hasn’t yet been determined if he’s going to need a break during the summer or not. I will discuss that with him over the next couple of weeks. And As you know he was recently named on the player’s first 11 in the Premiership, so that is certainly a great honor. He follows another American, Brad Friedel, who won that honor last year. That caps off what I think has been a very good year for Tim."

[purojogo]

Well, at least he admits he does not have the pressure most other coaches in the world have to put up with....Now, whether that's good or bad, is up to debate...Sometimes, i do wish he was under more heat, to employ (even if as an experiment) more innovative tactics, or to ditch his assistant (Mooch) , who i think at minimum should first succeed with either an MLS team or a youth NT, neither of which he has yet accomplished in the last few years....

[m vann]

Well, at least he admits he does not have the pressure most other coaches in the world have to put up with....Now, whether that's good or bad, is up to debate...Sometimes, i do wish he was under more heat, to employ (even if as an experiment) more innovative tactics, or to ditch his assistant (Mooch) , who i think at minimum should first succeed with either an MLS team or a youth NT, neither of which he has yet accomplished in the last few years....


I think Bruce has the luxury that most coaches don't have in the fact that he holds his fate in his own hands. Meaning that Bruce has been at his post long enough that he can have a bad run and still not have much pressure on him. He's done so much for the USMNT since he took over and has been given more power than any other coach in Nats history. I love Bruce but I wish, too that he have more pressure on him. However, I will say this, that if he doesn't get the results in '06, he'll be out either fired or resign. If this is the case Bradley or Sarachan will be given the post.

[Lloyd Heilbrunn]

On the U.S. not participating in Copa America...
"The reason that we do not participate in Copa America is because we have a domestic league that is in process. Our league does not shut down for Copa America and it does not shut down for World Cup qualifying. The league is comprised of small rosters and by having our National Team participate in Copa America would hurt MLS. Additionally, our European based players are on break at that time. The timing for Copa America with the combination of our European based players on break and our MLS season in its midst it is difficult to figure out how we can productively participate."


So we can't play because some of our players are busy playing and others are busy not playing. Makes sense to me..........:(

[HartwickFan]

"Anytime we play Mexico in the U.S. the crowd is generally pro-Mexico. It is a good experience for our players."

Was it a pro-Mexico crowd at the WC qualifier in Columbus? Didn't look it on tv. I would guess that there are several other American cities where the U.S. could play Mexico in front of a crowd that is not pro-Mexico -- Kansas City and Portland, for example.