Arena disciples bite back
I’ll admit it; when Ghana sent the U.S. packing, I was angry. I directed the bulk of my anger at Bruce Arena. Since that time (I posted my article approximately 15 minutes after the full time whistle) there has been a tide of counter-spin trying desperately to exonerate Bruce Arena. Typically, the Arena defenders follow the same talking points:
- U.S. Soccer is better than it ever has been (as if that were difficult)
- The players didn’t perform (who picked them?)
- The media hate soccer and Arena is the whipping boy (have you heard how he treats the media?)
- Arena was a great college and MLS coach (is that at all relevant?)
- Don’t be so mean! (we don’t need to feed the “soccer wuss” stereotype)
Ben Olsen (who, incidentally, Arena coached at the University of Virginia and D.C. United) is the latest apologist. Referring to the criticism leveled at Arena, Olsen said “It’s being done in a disrespectful way from a lot of guys around television. I think it’s just completely ridiculous and cowardly the way they’re going about it.”
What Olsen and his compatriots don’t seem to grasp is that it is the job of soccer commentators to—get this!— comment on soccer. Just because Ben Olsen doesn’t agree with it doesn’t mean it is ridiculous or cowardly. Moreover, to call others out (presumably Eric Wynalda—but we’ll get to that later) for using the media to criticize Arena completely ignores how Arena himself used the media to lambaste his own players after the U.S. lost to the Czech Republic. That is cowardice.
Now, about Eric Wynalda. First, he gets paid to make comments. Second, he is temperamental and bombastic and has a history of saying wild things. Finally, he doesn’t seem to take the wild things he says too seriously. Prior to sitting in the studio, chumming it up with Alexi Lalas during halftime reports, Wynalda blasted Lalas, branding him a liar.
The same people who praise Arena are quick to lampoon Wynalda. Of course, they’re just following Arena’s lead. When Wynalda had the gall to question the Supreme Leader’s choice of forwards, Arena snidely remarked, “Is he considered a soccer expert?”
Eric Wynalda is one of the most important figures in the history of U.S. Soccer. He is the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring most of those goals at a time when the ball rarely made it into the final third. He was also the first American-born striker to play in Europe. I’d say he’s as much of an expert of the game as anyone else.
The point is this: Bruce Arena is not qualified to coach this U.S. side. He may have been The One in 1998 (again, I think Almost Anyone could have been The One at that point), but any ability he had to motivate his players or manage a match has disappeared.
16 comments
Couldn’t agree more. Arena had his chance to show his coaching credentials and failed. Can’t wait to see if we can get Klinsmann, though it now sounds like the Germans actually want to keep him.
Can ‘t argue with any of this – good points all around. The defenders of Arena go back to what he’s done since 1998, but what matters most now is how his team did in this last World Cup.
Also, its Ben Olsen …
Also, its Ben Olsen
Changed. Thanks!
Y’know, I agree with you that it’s time for Arena to go. But I refuse to discount what has been achieved over the last eight years because “anyone could have done it.” That’s a bogus argument. He’s the one who did it, regardless of if there were other people who could have done it. And, I definitely believe that the USMNT program is in much, much better shape now than it was in 1998.
They can spin all they want – but I doubt it’ll change anything and you have to wonder if he really still wants the job. I think Wynalda was spot on – he’s paid to comment and comment he did – heck he said what most people felt anyway.
But kj is right – Bruce has done a LOT for US Soccer. But in the end, its the results that matter and our showing this World Cup was, well, bad. It’s not the results either. It was the lack of passion save for the Italy match. We just didn’t show up ready to compete on the world stage, simple as that. And its time to get a manager who can build a talented team that’s ready to play under the glaring lights of the biggest tournament in the world.
I think Jacob Olsen should be replaced by Owen Hargreaves and Bruceless should be canned so Klinsmann can slide in… it’d be a lateral move for both don’t you think?
Jacob Olsen?
Sorry… I meant Johannes Olsen on the U.S. Team.
TalkingCommenting with you is difficult sometimes.But oh so fun isn’t it?
Seriously is there any info on Bruce Arena Bowl getting canned?
I have been checking ussoccer.com basically every day looking for the “ARENA STEPS DOWN AS HEAD COACH” headline.
Better be done by Friday, or I won’t be able to enjoy my weekend.
Better be done by Friday, or I won’t be able to enjoy my weekend.
I really am surprised it hasn’t happened yet. He must be busy penning that multi-million dollar deal to coach the Rochester Rhinos…
They tried to get me to coach that team and I told them to shove it… I coached CSP FC… anything other than Bayern would be a step down
And the Rochester Raging Rhinos must be offering a multi-million dollar deal to whoever can come up with a better name for the team, like Rochester 1823 (when the town of Rochesterville became known simply as Rochester). Of course this would probably offend descendents of the people who originally founded Rochesterville in 1803, so they’d have to rename it something like The Rochester Generators.
I think the Crochester Wangs would be the most fitting name.
[...] Just as I refused to shy away from criticizing Arena (despite taking some heat for it) I am willing to give him due credit. I am very grateful to Bruce for his eight years of service and for his owning up to and apologizing for his recent missteps. The world of U.S. Soccer has again reached an acceptable level of harmony. For that I am most thankful. [...]