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Bruce Who? The Coach That Bit His Tongue

I'm getting a little bit sick of this clown called Bruce Arena. As was posted in the World Cup forum, he believes the "world football might" of the US should be seeded in the top 8 and the only country who should aspire to win the cup is Brasil. This coming from a coach whose country has never won a tournament of any note.

Now he has come out and said that Australia is the weakest team in the World Cup despite us beating a twice World Cup champion to qualify, unlike the US. Read below:

I've never heard of this clown before he took the reins of the US national team, has he even played football for anyone significant?

First of all, Australia is as strong, if not stronger than his team of "all-stars" and if Bruce is so confident of beating us, then he should organise a couple of games. It would be good practice for us, might also give the Americans to play a game outside the US for once.

Every player in the Australian team plays in Europe. Almost all of them are key players for their clubs. This is NOT the case for the Americans where the majority of the squad plays in the weak US league.

Our top players like Kewell (Liverpool), Viduka (Middlesborough), Cahill (Everton), Bresciano (Parma), Cullina (PSV), Aloisi (Alaves), Emerton and Neill (both Blackburn) to name a few, are household names in Europe.

Lets compare this with America's finest. Donovan (a good player), Edu (very talented but still unproven at that level), McBride (can't hold a regular first team spot for Fulham), Reyna (Good player, but past his best at Manchester City), Keller or Howard (not first choice for their clubs) is there really anyone else? Oh Brad Friedel is a great shot stopper, I do actually rate him.

Furthermore, I think almost every country in the world would love to qualify through CONCACAF, so why on earth would you ask for seeding after tying with Mexico at the top and winning on countback, despite Mexico's superior GD?

Look I really hope the US does get a seeding now, despite how scandalous it would be. If we get stuck in their group it would be the best chance we have of progressing. I'm certain Trinidad and Tobago, who actually have a player who has done something in football in Dwight Yorke, agree.

As for Mr Arena's comments, I think it's a real shame he makes these outrageous and ignorant remarks which clearly display a complete lack of knowledge of the game and unnecessarily tarnishes American's reputation.

Edited: arvhic on 6th Dec, 2005 - 8:20am

Tongue Bit Coach Who Bruce

Arvhic, I have the impression that Bruce "Who" Arena got on your nerves because of what he said about Australia. Now it is interesting that he put T&T in the same boat, but I do not feel anything against the guy or his words, because that is all they are... words. Now, come time for kick off, all the bets will closed and the trash talk will stop, and then comes the time for everyone to prove themselves worthy and dispell any falsehoods, if there are any to be removed.

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It wasn't just Australia he offended. he also said no other country apart from Brasil should aspire to win the Cup, which is very disrespectful.

Arena is a relative nobody in the world of football and the team he coaches are not even that good. He really shouldn't make uneducated comments. Both the Brazilian and English coaches have shown respect towards our team.

Anyway you are right, let the football do the talking. If the US qualifies from their difficult group then that will be a great achievement for their team.

Tongue Bit Coach Who Bruce

While Arena may have run his mouth prematurely, he is one of the best coaches the US team has probably ever had. During his tenure since 1998 when he took over from Sampson he has accomplished the following:

Most international wins
Longest home shut-out
Best World Cup showing since 1930
All-time best FIFA ranking

Prior to coaching the US National Squad, he led MLS team DC United to MLS cups and won MLS Coach of the Year. Prior to that, he had a very successful college coaching career, guiding the University of Virginia to 5 NCAA Championships.
Personally, he has had one cap for the US as goalkeeper. Arena may not have been around the block yet in terms of international experience, but he is a good coach.

Tongue Bit Coach Who Bruce

He has done well with the US team but I just get the impression he thinks too much about their ranking, which isn't a reflection of anything really.

The US's biggest achievement by far was their quarter-final in the last World Cup. Arena can take a lot of credit for that. But if he really thinks Australia are the World Cup easy beats I genuinely question what he knows about the world game.