Bruce Arena

With the USA just one win away of at least clinching the playoff birth from CONCACAF, the spotlight is turning towards the man behind the team, Coach Bruce Arena.

The Houston Chronicle has a story on what Arena has accomplished so far as well as what he would like to see happen next year. In just one paragraph the high and low of the US team is brought into full vision. They talk about Arena's record as coach over the last seven years...

"Touting a record of 66 wins, 26 losses and 24 draws, Arena is the most successful coach in the history of the program. Since the 2002 World Cup, the team has lost only seven times — each defeat coming against a team ranked in the top seven in the world."

All those wins are mighty impressive and the team has been on a roll since the last World Cup. However, the fact that all their defeats came against the best teams in the world shows what more they have to do. The US is not known for beating the big fish. Once they change that perseption, they will get the international (and maybe even national) respect they deserve.

There is also a piece in the East Hartford Gazette about the field conditions and the way the US side likes to play. Good reading all around.