Glory Days: Bruce brings back USMNT swagger
Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891
As of last November the United States Men's National Team seemed lost. Hopelessly adrift in the Hex world cup qualifiers after having their heart strings snapped from a 89th minute winner from Mexican legend Rafa Marquez and the 4-0 dismantling they were dealt at the hands of Costa Rica. That brought Jurgen Klinsmann's competitive record in 2016 to six wins and six losses which was enough to send the German packing.
Then USA soccer announced that Bruce was back. Arena's history of success along with his familiarity with USA soccer made him the perfect candidate to help steer the USMNT back on the right path. The Brooklyn born native has three MLS Cups to his name and also led the US to its best ever finish in the World Cup which was a trip to the quarter finals in 2002. In comparison to Klinsmann who often voiced his displeasure with Americans playing domestically, Arena's connections to MLS where a heavy chunk of the squad plays is key in evaluating and developing the players for the national team.
Fast forward to last night and the past nine months could not have gone better for USA soccer. The national team is currently on a 14 game unbeaten streak under Arena including two wins and two draws in world cup qualifying as well as adding the sixth Gold Cup to the trophy cabinet last night. Arena's presence has been vital in the drastic turnaround for the players as a more set training regiment with less tactical surprises as well as the calm and cool demeanor have been welcome changes for the players.
Bruce has been playing his players in their preferred positions and is reaping the benefits of it. Michael Bradley has been phenomenal since being moved back into the slot of a box to box midfielder rather than an attacking midfielder. Culminating in Bradley being named the tournament's best player by being awarded with the Golden Ball. Omar Gonzalez has been brought back into the team and has been fantastic as a part of the backline. Bruce does have a few surprises up his sleeve, but they are for us and not his players. When he broke out a three man backline at the Azteca last month in the showdown with Mexico, his players were prepared for it, a stark contrast to when Klinsmann would even catch his players off guard when he chose to play it.
Arena has also given players chances to make a name for themselves under his reign, another huge change from the Klinsmann era where his favorites such as Jermaine Jones were played no matter what their performance was. And that is why this Gold Cup was perfect for the US. Arena got to see an extended tryout from multiple players as they try to impress with the World Cup roster decision less than a year away and they did it without their best player in Christian Pulisic. Dom Dwyer, Jorge Villafana, Paul Arriola, Kellyn Acosta, Darlington Nagbe and last night's hero Jordan Morris have all been given time to impress Arena as his squad he'll be taking to Russia next summer begins to take shape. Morris especially is an incredibly interesting talent, having already won an NCAA championship at Stanford, an MLS Cup with Seattle and now a Gold Cup with the national team, Morris is forming a true winning pedigree. And at just 22 years old his explosiveness as either a winger or striker should make him a lead man in the USA attack for years to come. His 89th minute winner, coming eight months after the before mentioned Marquez 89th minute winner by Mexico, displays the shear range of emotions that US fans have gone through over that period. And it looks like brighter days will continue stateside.
Bruce Arena's eyes will now turn to the vital world cup qualifiers that stand in the national team's way with the first coming just over a month away on September 1st at Red Bull Arena against Costa Rica. A year ago this would be spell real trouble for the boys in red, white and blue, but this time it feels different. Bruce is back and and with him has come new players, rejuvenation, stability, swagger and most importantly, winning.
@Roundtripper891
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| BleacherReport |
As of last November the United States Men's National Team seemed lost. Hopelessly adrift in the Hex world cup qualifiers after having their heart strings snapped from a 89th minute winner from Mexican legend Rafa Marquez and the 4-0 dismantling they were dealt at the hands of Costa Rica. That brought Jurgen Klinsmann's competitive record in 2016 to six wins and six losses which was enough to send the German packing.
Then USA soccer announced that Bruce was back. Arena's history of success along with his familiarity with USA soccer made him the perfect candidate to help steer the USMNT back on the right path. The Brooklyn born native has three MLS Cups to his name and also led the US to its best ever finish in the World Cup which was a trip to the quarter finals in 2002. In comparison to Klinsmann who often voiced his displeasure with Americans playing domestically, Arena's connections to MLS where a heavy chunk of the squad plays is key in evaluating and developing the players for the national team.
 |
| SI |
Fast forward to last night and the past nine months could not have gone better for USA soccer. The national team is currently on a 14 game unbeaten streak under Arena including two wins and two draws in world cup qualifying as well as adding the sixth Gold Cup to the trophy cabinet last night. Arena's presence has been vital in the drastic turnaround for the players as a more set training regiment with less tactical surprises as well as the calm and cool demeanor have been welcome changes for the players.
Bruce has been playing his players in their preferred positions and is reaping the benefits of it. Michael Bradley has been phenomenal since being moved back into the slot of a box to box midfielder rather than an attacking midfielder. Culminating in Bradley being named the tournament's best player by being awarded with the Golden Ball. Omar Gonzalez has been brought back into the team and has been fantastic as a part of the backline. Bruce does have a few surprises up his sleeve, but they are for us and not his players. When he broke out a three man backline at the Azteca last month in the showdown with Mexico, his players were prepared for it, a stark contrast to when Klinsmann would even catch his players off guard when he chose to play it.
Arena has also given players chances to make a name for themselves under his reign, another huge change from the Klinsmann era where his favorites such as Jermaine Jones were played no matter what their performance was. And that is why this Gold Cup was perfect for the US. Arena got to see an extended tryout from multiple players as they try to impress with the World Cup roster decision less than a year away and they did it without their best player in Christian Pulisic. Dom Dwyer, Jorge Villafana, Paul Arriola, Kellyn Acosta, Darlington Nagbe and last night's hero Jordan Morris have all been given time to impress Arena as his squad he'll be taking to Russia next summer begins to take shape. Morris especially is an incredibly interesting talent, having already won an NCAA championship at Stanford, an MLS Cup with Seattle and now a Gold Cup with the national team, Morris is forming a true winning pedigree. And at just 22 years old his explosiveness as either a winger or striker should make him a lead man in the USA attack for years to come. His 89th minute winner, coming eight months after the before mentioned Marquez 89th minute winner by Mexico, displays the shear range of emotions that US fans have gone through over that period. And it looks like brighter days will continue stateside.
 |
| Seattle Times |
Bruce Arena's eyes will now turn to the vital world cup qualifiers that stand in the national team's way with the first coming just over a month away on September 1st at Red Bull Arena against Costa Rica. A year ago this would be spell real trouble for the boys in red, white and blue, but this time it feels different. Bruce is back and and with him has come new players, rejuvenation, stability, swagger and most importantly, winning.
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