**** Bruce Arena Must Go If The US Wants To Go Anywhere **** I know i might take lots of heat for this but i really think that the US will get nowhere with Bruce Arena as their coach. Let me explain before everyone starts flaming me. Bruce Arena's coaching tactics are not going to get the US anywhere. This type of full defensinve stand proceeded buy a track meet toward a ball that was sent down the field is not going to get us anywhere. I guess the World Cup suddenly gave everyone a reason to support Arena's tactics but few people tend to remember the lacluster play against South Korea, and Poland. Just as important and maybe even more important than the talented players you have on a team is the system you implement out on the field. The way the US has played this year against worthy opponents can only be described as ugly. The word possesion is not in Arena's vocabulary, neither is creativity. I believe the success of the US in the World Cup against Portugal and Mexico was more of a suprise attack that both teams were not ready for and in Mexico's case, the first goal put them psychologically out of the game. Am I the only one who sees something terribly wrong with the US's style of play. Look at teams like Brazil, Italy, Argentina, and any other team that has reached continued success through history, their game revolves around possesion and creativity instead of playing 10 men back and attempting to capitalize on the counter attack. The US was moving to this type of soccer back in the era of Bora Millutinovicz (sp?), which they showed with much success in the World Cup of 94. I am willing to put money on the table and say that the US has not held the majority of possession against a formidable opponent in any game in the Bruce Arena era. Its just sickening watching them play. It sometimes feels like the only way they attempt to score are on crosses into the box. Also, when they get 3/4ths down the feel, they almost never attempt to pass the ball back in order to get set and create an opportunity on goal, instead, they attempt to take on defenders one on one which either ends up in loosing the ball or getting an ugly look to an eventual missed shot. Im really curious what you guys think (no flaming please) since i see too much praise for Bruce Arena than i think he deserves. Im just worried because i think we are taking a step back instead of moving into the right direction. Sure, this system will win a few games here there and maybe a tournament, but it will never get us where we want to be in international competition.
Re: **** Bruce Arena Must Go If The US Wants To Go Anywhere **** Really, I'll takae that bet. You may want to watch our quarterfinal match against germany in 2002 again.
" Jay U Arena got us to the quarterfinals of the WC...thats a pretty good start. " Are you aware that the US got past the first round because of a last minute goal by South Korea against Portugal. If Portugal would not have been playing for the tie and actually beat SK or even successfully tied them, would we still be praising Arena the same way we are now
Arena must: 1. learn how to select a good national team 2. play more offensive futbol 3. try to take friendlies more seriously with call-ups 4. get a clue on tactics 5. stop playing crappy players
Italy have offensive football? Anyways i agree with everything you said except with what i pointed above
The US made it to the past the group round because they had the second most points/better GD. We could argue "what ifs" all day, but the facts are that Arena has produced results (3rd in the Confederations Cup, 1st in the Gold Cup, Quaterfinals in the WC). I don't believe that lynching him for a poor performance in the past few days with a rag-tag defense and a back-up GK is a fair assessment to what he has accomplished over the past 5+ years.
Arena knows very well the caliber of the players he has. Lets face it: with two or three exceptions they are not world class players! The Coach cannot have the luxury of playing an open attacking game against the best team in the world such as Turkey (#3) and Brazil (#1). HD
1. Klein appears quite effective against lesser quality opponents, but his lack of ability really shows against the upper echelon National Teams. He could be useful for the Gold Cup though. 2. Stewart's play has fallen off drastically since the WC. He did play well in the WCQ (which is ancient history) and had a decent game today against Brazil. 3. Berhalter played very poorly over the last two games, but I've seen him perform better. Arena was strapped for central defenders for this tournament, and Berhalter was the best choice.
Re: **** Bruce Arena Must Go If The US Wants To Go Anywhere **** Congratulations. This is the worst first post ever.
Are you aware that Germany got past the US in the quarterfinals thanks to a blown offside call in the second minute, a dubious call as an arm prevented a shot from scoring in the second half, and through a lot of luck on Germany's part (you can't expect to have your keeper bail you out on 4 opportunities where he was the only player left). If the assistant makes the correct noncall in the second minute would we still be degrading Arena the same way we are now?
It occurs to me that, until now, the US hasn't lost two straight in a while. Sure brings out frayed nerves in a hurry.
BRUCE ARENA MUST... ...not put too much emphasis on second-tier competitions, and focus instead on preparing for the Gold Cup and World Cup Qualifying. Oh, wait...
Geez, what's with the hatred of Arena. the guys done some good things for us. He chooses the players that don't have too many club conflicts, he gets a big pool and sticks with the ones that work out, example Bocanegra. He has faith in his players as well(although some I would prefer leave like Kiro). He doesn't care about the results until they matter and for the US it really only matters in WCQ and the WC. This plays well in the player's minds and they would want to play for him. No pressure, he's got faith in you and he'll give you the chances, you just gotta be able to earn your spot. He seems like a pretty good coach to me and he did get us to the Quarterfinals. Don't bring in the what if's because what if Reyna hit that half fielf lob or Donovan slotted it under Kahn or Agoos actually cleared the ball over the end line. He's a player's coach and doesn't drill into everyone's head to win, win, win. He'll carry this team through the tough times again. Stop criticizing him and put some faith in him.
Lets face it even though everybody sent their B team to the Confed, Brazil and Turkey's B teams are better then our B team. Just like their A teams are better then our A team. For now. I do not think it has anything to do with Bruce's coaching style, he has proven that he will play to the strength of his players, adapt his system to their needs. Besides, this doesn't matter, what matters starts in 6 months or so.
Re: Re: **** Bruce Arena Must Go If The US Wants To Go Anywhere **** Likely not his first post. He was probably one of those guys screaming for Arena's scalp during qualifying a couple summers back (remember, when we had our top 5 attacking/holding players out with injury), but who couldn't show his face around here after J/K for awhile, and thus forgot his password or something. Still he makes a compelling case that newbies shouldn't be able to start threads.
I'm convinced that there are people who, if we won the 2006 World Cup with a 5-0 rout of Brazil in the final, would still be complaining about Arena...
I'm amused at the "slam the newbie, how dare he opine on our board" tone of this thread. Let me come to its starter's defense. Arena made a conscious decision to embarrass the U.S. at this tournament. Now maybe we all think that was a good decision. Arena said, "I want to evaluate talent". Thing is, we all knew Berhalter was terrible months ago. I don't see any reason that we need to demonstrate that to the world. I'm not saying Arena isn't a good coach. He's manifestly a great coach. Had we brought our old A team, I'm sure Arena could have coached them to an impressive showing. What troubles me is not Arena's ability, but his judgment. I think it's legitimate to question Arena's decision to squander whatever momentum WC '02 created for the NATS so that he could be really, really sure that Berhalter can't play at this level. Flame away, foks.
Yeah, I think the fact that this gets our panties in a bunch is a sign of how much bruce has raised expectations here. Whoever pointed out on another thread that what we learned from all this is that our b-side isn't as good as other countries' b-sides is spot on. Our first team is for real. It's just too bad we had a few letdowns. I hope berhalter dies.
I keep seeing people bash Berhalter for the last two poor outings on various threads. I disagree. I think it's three poor outings counting the New Zealand friendly.
Actually I didn't think playing Berhalter vs. Turkey was a poor decision. Berhalter played well last summer, and as of before the Turkey match he was just coming off one bad game. Given our depth (or lack thereof) at center back, I don't think Bruce can be blamed for using him against Turkey, especially when he's not going to be too old to use in World Cup qualifying. However, I do have to question playing him against Brazil with the full knowledge that he's in poor form AND at least somewhat fatigued from playing two days earlier (did he go the full 90?).
But, we cannot be a defensive team with only counter attacks try to get the win all the time, we have to try to play a beautiful game with alot of creativity and possesion and get goals from quality attacks.
Re: **** Bruce Arena Must Go If The US Wants To Go Anywhere **** Mr. Sampson chimes in with his thoughts.