AFTER THEIR FAILURE to reach next summer’s World Cup in Russia, it always seemed inevitable that USA boss Bruce Arena would have little choice but to walk away.
And to it has transpired.
In a statement released via US Soccer early on Friday, Arena revealed that his second stint in charge of the national team was no more. He admitted that the crucial 2-1 defeat against Trinidad and Tobago and subsequent elimination from qualifying was a ‘major setback’ for the country’s football programme.
“In the end, we came up short,” Arena said.
“No excuses. We didn’t get the job done, and I accept responsibility. This certainly is a major setback for the senior Men’s National Team program, and questions rightly should be asked about how we can improve.”
Arena, who had previously coached the side between 1998 and 2006 and qualified the US for two World Cups during that period, was parachuted in to replace Jurgen Klinsmann last November after some poor results had many believing the team could fall short of making the tournament for the first time since 1986.
As much as he steadied things initially, the US began to struggle as the finish line came into sight. But, they went into their final two qualifiers with their fate in their own hands. They put up an easy win over Panama last Friday and knew that a win or a draw against T&T would see them through.
Inexplicably, they lost and over recent days the entire football landscape in the US has come in for major criticism. Many feel big changes are required, including the resignation of long-term federation president Sunil Gulati.
So, what happens next?
Gulati has indicated in a conference call with media today that he won’t step down, despite taking ‘full responsibility’.
But he hasn’t confirmed whether he’ll seek a new term of office next February.
He’s sure to have challengers. Boston lawyer Steve Gans and businessman Paul Lapointe are certainly throwing their names into the mix while US Soccer board member John Motta and former US striker Eric Wynalda have also admitted to considering running for the top job.
Meanwhile, who replaces Arena as manager? Well, the US don’t have a competitive fixture until 2019 so there’s no reason to rush. And a lot can change in a short space of time.
For the moment, former senior international Tab Ramos – currently the youth technical director and U-20 coach – will likely fill in temporarily.
Many of the preferred prospective replacements are domestic, including Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes, Oscar Pareja from FC Dallas and Toronto FC’s Greg Vanney.
Former Barcelona boss Tata Martino is currently at MLS side Atlanta United while New York City FC’s Patrick Vieira seems an outside bet.
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“The Aviva Stadium is expected to be at a reduced capacity for the game, in the region of 27,000, although that could change in the event of exceptional demand” surely that’s how it is with moat teams? I’d imagine there will be a lot more of a demand than the 27,000 capacity anyway.
@Dave Murray: I would have thought that certain sections will not be used with restricted capacity, resulting in a smaller staff requirement. If they put all 52k tickets on sale, all sections will have to be available and therefore full match day costs applied.
@Paul Ennis: I get that, just thought it(a little)odd that they would announce a 27,000 capacity restriction before tickets are on sale to the public and see what the demand is etc. But I guess with a short turn around and Easter weekend it could be harder to shift 50,000 tickets and get staff in like you said.
@Dave Murray: EPRC also organising the game rather than Leinster, and they’re shit at running things.
Without being presumptuous – is the semi final
Draw already planned out?
@Daithi Mc Ghiollamhairtin: Yeah. Leinster/Leicester v Toulouse/Sharks and La Rochelle/Salarycens v Exeter/Stormers
@baz dunne: many thanks
@baz dunne: Salarycens hahaha
5 day turnaround with the knock on effect of potential reduced capacity due to the limited timeframe is a great reward for going through as top seed. This is an absolute joke
@Rob Doyle: Your prize for top seed is its at “home” or at least 10mins down the road from it, so be thankful you’re not coming from Welford Rd with a week to plan it!! it does feel too near, be better if a 2 week gap but all the teams that are through are in the same scenario regardless of they seeding. 27k is an average sized rugby stadium, crucially it’s circa 10k more than full RDS capacity, and the fans all know the weekends of the semis well in advance, if not the exact day. I’m not overjoyed by a half full Aviva myself but it is what it is.
Real shame it’s not in a packed RDS, a half full Aviva sucks.
I think we’ll Leinster, Sharks, Stormers, and La Rochelle in the semis.
@Brenda Collins: 3 from URC? they’ll be due an ol restructure soon enough so.