KB3RG
07/18/06, 04:31 PM
Arena lands on feet with Red Bulls
The former U.S. national team coach was hired by Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls on Tuesday. Last Friday, the U.S. Soccer Federation opted not to renew Arena's contract with the national team.
Arena will replace interim coach Richie Williams, who was elevated to the top spot when head coach Mo Johnston was fired on June 27. In five games under Williams, New York was 1-3-1.
The Red Bulls are 3-6-8 this season -- the fewest wins in the league -- and are last in the Eastern Conference with 17 points. Only the Western Conference's Real Salt Lake has fewer points.
Arena won more than twice as many games than any other U.S. coach and led the team to the quarterfinals at the 2002 World Cup, the team's best showing. But the U.S. team failed to advance to the second round in Germany this summer after losses to the Czech Republic and Ghana and a draw with eventual champion Italy.
In 130 games with the national team, Arena was 71-30-29. Before that, he won or shared five NCAA titles as coach of Virginia, won two MLS championships with D.C. United and also won the CONCACAF Champions Cup with D.C.
The former U.S. national team coach was hired by Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls on Tuesday. Last Friday, the U.S. Soccer Federation opted not to renew Arena's contract with the national team.
Arena will replace interim coach Richie Williams, who was elevated to the top spot when head coach Mo Johnston was fired on June 27. In five games under Williams, New York was 1-3-1.
The Red Bulls are 3-6-8 this season -- the fewest wins in the league -- and are last in the Eastern Conference with 17 points. Only the Western Conference's Real Salt Lake has fewer points.
Arena won more than twice as many games than any other U.S. coach and led the team to the quarterfinals at the 2002 World Cup, the team's best showing. But the U.S. team failed to advance to the second round in Germany this summer after losses to the Czech Republic and Ghana and a draw with eventual champion Italy.
In 130 games with the national team, Arena was 71-30-29. Before that, he won or shared five NCAA titles as coach of Virginia, won two MLS championships with D.C. United and also won the CONCACAF Champions Cup with D.C.