![]() We need the rest, and we’ll be ready (in Germany),” said forward Landon Donovan. “We wanted to win all three games, wanted to do even better, but the fact is we worked hard and we’re right where we want to be. Now the only question remaining – just how good is this team? – won’t be answered by Latvia, but by the Czech Republic, Ghana and three-time World Cup champ Italy. But last night’s 1-0 victory over Latvia was a nice bonus, nonetheless.įrom tactics to lineup to formation, coach Bruce Arena had a host of things he wanted to test out in a glorified lab experiment in front of 24,636. Wins this month in Cleveland and East Hartford meant little wins next month in Germany will mean everything. soccer team, this stretch of three games in six days was more about preparation than about victory. In the last week he's often used examples from other sports talking about how his father took him to two Yankees games a year - one in box seats the other in bleachers - and how he cut class to go to Shea Stadium in 1964.EAST HARTFORD – For the U.S. "Then we get the Dream Team together and play (against) amateur basketball." "What hit home with Americans was that we finished last and we don't like finishing last" he said. He also doesn't like it when people repeat that the 1998 team finished 32nd among the 32 teams a distinction caused by goal differential. Korean media repeatedly asked him if the United States was taking the tournament too lightly because it only trained once most days and he had to hold back from giving any answers that might seem rude. At the same time he is incredulous about searches for hidden meanings in his words and actions. He bristles at simplification and misimpression. "It has never had 40 players in it" he said. BRUCE ARENA TACTICS PROSoccer Federation started "Project 40" an attempt to get more than three dozen elite players to skip college and turn pro in exchange for a salary and future tuition. Olympic team which was eliminated in the first round the U.S. "We're light years away from where we need to be."Īfter Arena led the 1996 U.S. We don't have enough Landon Donovans and DaMarcus Beasleys in the system" he said. "We're still behind in terms of soccer culture. He would like to see vast farm systems like in baseball to allow more players the chance to push their way to the top. "If I say anything it sounds like sour grapes." "The magnitude of this event is not understood by the American public." Then he cautions himself. "This is different than any sport in the world" he said. Unlike some in American soccer he doesn't shy away from reality. He knows soccer's place in the United States. "I don't think I enjoy winning as much as I should because I think how can you do it again - which is a stupid approach" he said. Yet for all the success it's hard to tell what he thinks is a job well done. At DC United he set the standard for the new league. In 18 seasons at Virginia he established one of the premier programs in the nation. He also spent one season playing lacrosse with the Montreal Quebecois and one season playing soccer with the American Soccer League's Tacoma Tides. national team - as a substitute in a 2-0 loss at Israel in 1973. He was a goalkeeper who played one game with the U.S. BRUCE ARENA TACTICS HOW TO"He has a vision of what he wants to do and how to get there" said defender Jeff Agoos another national team member who first played for Arena at Virginia.Īrena was an All-American in soccer and lacrosse at Nassau Community College and in lacrosse at Cornell. He consulted the veterans over many of the details of the World Cup experience including where to stay and where to put the families. While some players sniped at Sampson during the Americans' 0-3 finish at the 1998 tournament in France these players seem to have a high level of respect for Arena. "The clouds are going to notice the difference between May 31 and June 1?" he said.Īrena hired in October 1998 to succeed Steve Sampson already is the winningest coach in U.S. During one interview he was asked about the Korean rainy season which starts in June. ![]()
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