The search for a new U.S. national soccer team coach has narrowed to two men, according to the executive director of the United States Soccer Federation.
Hank Steinbrecher said Friday that the federation is likely to hire either D.C. United coach Bruce Arena, who has an exemplary record at the collegiate and professional levels, or ex-U.S. coach Bora Milutinovic, whose wily style has helped four underdogs advance to the World Cup’s second round.
“If we’re only worried about qualifying in our region (for the 2002 World Cup), then it’ll be Bora,” Steinbrecher said. “He knows this hemisphere so well, he’ll qualify any team. But there are other things besides qualifying.”
Milutinovic coached the U.S. team in World Cup ’94 and had successful stints in Mexico, Costa Rica and, most recently, Nigeria.
Arena, the 1996 Olympic coach, has won two consecutive Major League Soccer titles with D.C. United and built a dynasty at the University of Virginia, winning five NCAA titles.
After the debacle of France ’98, in which the U.S. team finished last in the 32-team field and was ripped apart by dissension, rebuilding will be the priority for whomever fills the position.
Milutinovic was fired three years ago because he expressed indifference toward player-development programs, but he is a close friend of outgoing federation President Alan Rothenberg and has the international experience that Arena lacks.
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One of the biggest issues for Arena is whether the federation would be willing to guarantee that he would coach through the next World Cup. Such guarantees are rare, if not unheard of, in international soccer. One outspoken advocate for that approach is Arena’s former assistant, Chicago Fire coach Bob Bradley.
“If it doesn’t include that kind of commitment, why would he want that job?” Bradley said. “This is, at a minimum, a four-year project.”
Arena would be a popular choice with many grass-roots groups in the federation and among officials who say the coach should be U.S.-born and bred. Not surprisingly, Arena said he agrees with their thinking.
“You need people who understand your athletes and your society,” Arena said. “We need to build with our own people, make our own mistakes and learn from our experience.”
At one time, Rothenberg was adamant about making the appointment before his successor is elected next Saturday. But that is looking less likely, Steinbrecher said.
The new coach’s salary would have to be approved by the federation’s executive committee. Ex-coach Steve Sampson resigned immediately after the U.S. team was eliminated from competition in France, but he is being paid through the end of this year.
Role over: Rothenberg will have a job to go to when his stint at the federation ends.
Rothenberg heads a group of investors, including former baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, who purchased the San Jose Clash for $25 million. The price is $5 million more than investors paid for the Miami Fusion. The Clash had been run by the league.
“We intend to make this the stellar team in Major League Soccer and the showcase for how it should be done,” Rothenberg said.
“I think the pieces are in place. It’s a great organization.”
It’s also an organization that started the week in last place in the Western Conference.
Goooooaal! With its three goals Wednesday night against Kansas City, the Los Angeles Galaxy has 71 this season, a record for Major League Soccer. Forward Carlos Hermosillo entered the match still looking for his first MLS goal. That came in the 76th minute. Just 64 seconds later, Hermosillo scored again, the fastest two goals in MLS history.