Latest news with #MLSCups
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bruce Arena wary of his L.A. return against a Galaxy team 'due' for success
San José Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena stands on the sideline during the playing of the national anthem before a match against the Columbus Crew on April 26. (Jason Mowry / Getty Images) The last time Bruce Arena and Dave Sarachan stood together on the sidelines at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy were beating the Colorado Rapids in the MLS Western Conference semifinals. That was 2016 and the win was the pair's 18th playoff victory in eight seasons with the Galaxy. It was also the last game they coached together in Carson. Advertisement They'll be back on Wednesday, only this time Arena and Sarachan will be in the opposite technical area, standing in front of the San José Earthquakes' bench. And in some ways it's a bittersweet return. Because while both men have mostly fond memories of their time with the Galaxy, they return with the home team hungry and winless through 15 games, the longest drought in franchise history. That makes the homecoming both welcome and challenging. Read more: Commentary: Bruce Arena aims to achieve the seemingly impossible with San José 'I have nothing but good memories of my time in L.A. with the Galaxy. So it's nice to go back,' Arena said. Advertisement 'I like watching them and they've had tough times. But they're better than their record indicates. We're the next team up, which will be in some ways very, very challenging because you know they're due to have success.' The Galaxy (0-11-4) have led in each of their last three games, only to lose two of them on goals deep in stoppage time. So Wednesday's game could be a dangerous one for the Earthquakes (5-6-4), who are unbeaten in their last five. 'It's almost amazing that they haven't gotten a win,' Sarachan said. 'It's a double-edged sword because there's a certain fragility to it. But at the same time, they're looking to get out of this funk. They're in a tough situation so we just have to be ready.' Arena and Sarachan, his top assistant with both the Galaxy and men's national team, are arguably the most successful coaching duo in U.S. Soccer history, having taken the national team to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup before winning three MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields in five seasons with the Galaxy. Advertisement It was the most successful five-year stretch by any team in MLS history. But the Galaxy didn't win another MLS Cup until last season, ending the team's longest trophy drought. Less than two years after leaving the Galaxy to return to the national team, Arena and Sarachan went their separate ways after failing to qualify the U.S. for the 2018 World Cup. They reunited this winter in San José, where they took over a team that had tied the MLS record for losses (25) and broke the record for goals allowed (78) in 2024, guiding it into playoff position after 15 games this year. 'Our goal is to get through the first half of the season where we have a good feel for our team and understand where we need to go in the second half,' Arena said. 'At the end of next week we'll be at the midway point in the season and we have a better feel for where we are. Read more: LAFC and Galaxy each won something notable in their El Tráfico draw Advertisement 'We're improving. Maybe not as quick as I'd like but I think we have a chance to be a good team in the season half.' Arena's blueprint for turning the Quakes around is the same one he used to rescue the Galaxy team he took over midway through the 2008 season. In L.A., he remade the roster by shipping out more than 20 players that winter. In San José, he brought in 16 new ones, including former Galaxy defender Dave Romney, who leads the team in minutes played, and former LAFC striker Cristian Arango, who is third in the league with nine goals. But while Arena celebrates his team's success, he takes no joy from the Galaxy's struggles. 'Listen, I did my spell there and it was time to move on, like anything else,' Arena said. 'You stay in one place too long, they eventually want you to move on. Advertisement 'I have the greatest respect for that organization. There are better times ahead for them. The second half of the season is going to be much improved.' Sarachan agreed. But he'd just as soon the Galaxy hold off on that improvement until the Quakes have left town. 'Yeah,' he said, confessing to harboring no hard feelings. 'I'd like to see them 0-12-4. And we can move on from that.' This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Bruce Arena wary of his L.A. return against a Galaxy team ‘due' for success
The last time Bruce Arena and Dave Sarachan stood together on the sidelines at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy were beating the Colorado Rapids in the MLS Western Conference semifinals. That was 2016 and the win was the pair's 18th playoff victory in eight seasons with the Galaxy. It was also the last game they coached together in Carson. They'll be back on Wednesday, only this time Arena and Sarachan will be in the opposite technical area, standing in front of the San José Earthquakes' bench. And in some ways it's a bittersweet return. Because while both men have mostly fond memories of their time with the Galaxy, they return with the home team hungry and winless through 15 games, the longest drought in franchise history. That makes the homecoming both welcome and challenging. 'I have nothing but good memories of my time in L.A. with the Galaxy. So it's nice to go back,' Arena said. 'I like watching them and they've had tough times. But they're better than their record indicates. We're the next team up, which will be in some ways very, very challenging because you know they're due to have success.' The Galaxy (0-11-4) have led in each of their last three games, only to lose two of them on goals deep in stoppage time. So Wednesday's game could be a dangerous one for the Earthquakes (5-6-4), who are unbeaten in their last five. 'It's almost amazing that they haven't gotten a win,' Sarachan said. 'It's a double-edged sword because there's a certain fragility to it. But at the same time, they're looking to get out of this funk. They're in a tough situation so we just have to be ready.' Arena and Sarachan, his top assistant with both the Galaxy and men's national team, are arguably the most successful coaching duo in U.S. Soccer history, having taken the national team to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup before winning three MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields in five seasons with the Galaxy. It was the most successful five-year stretch by any team in MLS history. But the Galaxy didn't win another MLS Cup until last season, ending the team's longest trophy drought. Less than two years after leaving the Galaxy to return to the national team, Arena and Sarachan went their separate ways after failing to qualify the U.S. for the 2018 World Cup. They reunited this winter in San José, where they took over a team that had tied the MLS record for losses (25) and broke the record for goals allowed (78) in 2024, guiding it into playoff position after 15 games this year. 'Our goal is to get through the first half of the season where we have a good feel for our team and understand where we need to go in the second half,' Arena said. 'At the end of next week we'll be at the midway point in the season and we have a better feel for where we are. 'We're improving. Maybe not as quick as I'd like but I think we have a chance to be a good team in the season half.' Arena's blueprint for turning the Quakes around is the same one he used to rescue the Galaxy team he took over midway through the 2008 season. In L.A., he remade the roster by shipping out more than 20 players that winter. In San José, he brought in 16 new ones, including former Galaxy defender Dave Romney, who leads the team in minutes played, and former LAFC striker Cristian Arango, who is third in the league with nine goals. But while Arena celebrates his team's success, he takes no joy from the Galaxy's struggles. 'Listen, I did my spell there and it was time to move on, like anything else,' Arena said. 'You stay in one place too long, they eventually want you to move on. 'I have the greatest respect for that organization. There are better times ahead for them. The second half of the season is going to be much improved.' Sarachan agreed. But he'd just as soon the Galaxy hold off on that improvement until the Quakes have left town. 'Yeah,' he said, confessing to harboring no hard feelings. 'I'd like to see them 0-12-4. And we can move on from that.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
🖐️ games you must watch during MLS Rivalry Weekend
While it may not be a norm around the rest of the footballing world, MLS fans are becoming accustomed to seeing the league's best rivalry matchups played out across a matter of a few days. With that week finally upon us, let's take a look at the must-watch matches this upcoming is a bitter rivalry that has arguably the deepest roots in the league, in fact the two Cascadia clubs have been going head-to-head since the 1970s, long before MLS even existed. No matter the circumstances, there is always plenty of bad-blood when these two teams get together, but with both teams vying for a top-four spot in the Western Conference, this weekend's matchup should be even spicier. Timbers fan yelling 'gut the fish' on the outskirts of training Friday morning. #RCTID Green smoke falls over the pitch 🟢🟡 — Adam Susman (@Adam_Susman) May 16, 2025 While Portland come into the affair at Providence Park on Saturday in sole position of fourth place, the sixth placed Sounders are only three points behind their rivals to the south. The Timbers have lost just once in their last 10 games in all competitions, while Seattle have lost just twice. Buckle up folks, we should be in for a good one in Goose Hollow Saturday the world over as 'Hell is Real', when Ohio's two premier clubs come together there is always fireworks. But in recent seasons this rivalry has hit a new level with both sides consistently vying for Supporters Shields and MLS Cups. Heading into the weekend, Columbus and Cincinnati are separated by just two points, with the latter leading the charge atop the Eastern Conference. 🔥 Hell is Real - Bespoke @MLS Namesets@fccincinnati v @ColumbusCrew The 2 rivals at the top of the Eastern Conference go head-to-head this weekend with these custom designed namesets - look great! — The Shirt Union (@TheShirtUnion) May 12, 2025 Notably, each team in this special rivalry boasts an MVP-caliber attacker to pull the strings. Columbus' Diego Rossi and Cincinnati's Evander have combined for 17 goal contributions between them (eight for Rossi, nine for Evander). There is a very real argument that one of these two teams will collect major honors come the business end of the derby in Los Angeles was a hit from day one despite not boasting the history of some of the other major rivalries in MLS. Whether it is for playoff seeding, a Western Conference title, or just simple local bragging rights, the stakes always feel astronomical when these two teams clash. And this weekend we perhaps have the most lopsided derby showdown in the City of Angels that we've had in a long time. Despite being the MLS Cup holders, the Galaxy are yet to win a game this season, while LAFC are beginning to pick up steam. *taps the sign*El Trafico ALWAYS four @LAGalaxy goals from a comeback to remember. ⬇️ — Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 15, 2024 But form charts be damned, would anybody really be shocked if the Galaxy snapped their miserable winless run against their most hated enemy? You wouldn't put it past this rivalry. While some may chuckle at this matchup making the list, the Canadian Classique is arguably the most underrated rivalry in all of North America. These two teams absolutely hate each-other. And while Toronto have a recent history of trophy-laden success, when these two teams meet it is always a level playing field. The all-time head-to-head record in MLS in this rivalry matchup is as follows — 23 wins for Montréal, 26 wins for Toronto, and 10 draws. Here's @JozyAltidore scoring the winning goal in the last minutes of the Canadian Classique, before proceeding the shush the 5 fans behind the goal. The sort of shithousery we wholeheartedly endorse. — COPA90 (@Copa90) September 10, 2020 And in 2025, both teams are struggling mightily. Toronto sit just three points ahead of their rivals in second-bottom in the Eastern Conference. If you love watching this sport when the two teams have unwavering disdain for one another, this is the game for the rivalry between these two Florida clubs can be labelled as superficial in the wake of Miami's heavily-funded rise to prominence, this weekend's matchup could be a potential turning point in the storybook. After a blip, verging on a crisis, for an Inter Miami side that has won just two of their last seven games, Orlando now look poised to leapfrog the herons in the Eastern Conference standings. Inter Miami's season is a mess. At this point I question if Javier Mascherano makes it to the club World Cup. The disastrous misstep in naming a coach has led to another strikeout for an aged and poorly implemented EXPENSIVE team. — Kelvin Loyola (@KelvinLoyola) May 10, 2025 Orlando come into the clash in Fort Lauderdale with one of the hottest attacking forces in the league, lead by Martín Ojeda and Luis Muriel who have combined for 13 goals between them this season. Yet you can't look past the star-studded squad in the back-pocket of Javier Mascherano. While the other rivalries on this list may seep into the streets of the cities they are played in, this is very much a matchup where the boiling point is reached on the pitch. 📸 Steph Chambers - 2023 Getty Images
Reuters
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Minnesota United sign veteran D Julian Gressel
Minnesota United FC announced the signing of veteran defender Julian Gressel on Tuesday. Inter Miami CF waived the 31-year-old German international ahead of the move. Gressel is under contract with Minnesota through 2026 with a club option for 2027. "Julian brings an impressive depth of MLS experience and championship pedigree to Minnesota," chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad said. "He is a proven winner and competitor and our hope is that he will contribute those qualities to our team and continue to push our club forward throughout the rest of this season and beyond." Gressel has 26 goals and 13 assists in 245 MLS matches (221 starts) with Atlanta United (2017-19), D.C. United (2020-22), the Vancouver Whitecaps (2022-23), the Columbus Crew (2023) and Inter Miami (2024-25). He was the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2017 and has won seven titles, including two MLS Cups (2018, 2023) and the 2024 Supporters' Shield with Miami. Gressel contributed 12 assists and one goal in 32 matches (31 starts) alongside Lionel Messi and the Herons last season but had yet to appear in a game for new coach Javier Mascherano this season.
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Bruce Arena slams US soccer for hiring Pochettino
WASHINGTON: Former United States manager Bruce Arena has criticised the appointment of Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino as US coach, saying the job should have gone to an American. Bruce Arena, who coached the US at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and holds the record for the most Major League Soccer championship titles with five MLS Cups, said foreign-born coaches lack the cultural understanding needed for the job. Pochettino has struggled since his appointment last September, suffering dismal defeats to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League in March, a tournament the US had previously dominated, winning every edition since its launch in 2019. "If you look at every national team in the world, the coach is usually a domestic coach," the 73-year-old Arena said in a interview with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard on Unfiltered Soccer published on Wednesday. "And I think when you have coaches that don't know our culture, our players, our environment, it's hard. And listen, (Pochettino) is a very good coach. (But) coaching international football is completely different than club football." Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino took charge after the US suffered a humiliating early Copa America exit on home soil last July, prompting the sacking of American Gregg Berhalter following his second stint as head coach. "You need to know the environment. And we're lacking that. If you're an American coaching the US team, you know the culture, the pride and how important the national team is," Arena added. "When you bring in somebody from the outside, they don't understand it. Especially in our country, because we're so different." The US will next host Turkiye and Switzerland in June friendlies, before pushing for silverware at the CONCACAF Gold Cup from June 14 to July 6, their last chance at a trophy before co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. --REUTERS
