Getting Back on The Bull

Ex-D.C. Coach Arena Eager to Guide New York

Bruce Arena was tired of it all, worn down from coaching the U.S. national soccer team for almost eight years, wounded by the stinging criticism of his World Cup failures this summer.

It was time to step away for a while, play a few hundred rounds of golf, listen to Howard Stern without interruption, give his incessant instant-messaging a rest and enjoy not having to memorize the midfield tendencies of the Czech Republic or Kazakhstan.

"I would have been very happy not doing anything until January 1, I can tell you that," he said this week.

Coaching, however, is what he does: 18 years at the University of Virginia, three with D.C. United, a summer guiding the U.S. Olympic squad and then an unprecedented two World Cup cycles with the national team.

So when the owners of a high-energy soft drink approached him about overseeing their latest investment, the MLS's New York Red Bulls, Arena was drawn to another coaching calling.

"I would have liked to have waited, but they made it so attractive to me, it was the right move," Arena said. "They are motivated to make something happen."

Tonight at Giants Stadium, two months since the United States crashed out of the World Cup and a month since the U.S. Soccer Federation let him go, Arena will make his MLS return against a very familiar opponent: D.C. United.

His New York debut actually took place Saturday night at the Meadowlands when his wayward club was pounded in a friendly by European champion Barcelona, 4-1. For all practical purposes, though, this evening will mark the beginning of Arena's reclamation project.

"Those guys will fight for Bruce," said United midfielder Ben Olsen, who played for Arena at Virginia, United and the national team. "You want to win for Bruce and please him and work hard for him. I have no doubt he will turn their ship around."

The Red Bulls (formerly the MetroStars) have faltered most of their 11-year existence, failing to reach the MLS Cup and going through 10 coaches before hiring Arena (United has had four coaches in its history). More significantly, the absence of a consistent winner in MLS's most important commercial market has seemed to stunt the league's growth and, on many game days, has left Giants Stadium 90 percent empty.

"It will be an interesting challenge because we have such a long way to go," said Arena, who declined to reveal specifics of his multiyear contract. "It's really surprising to realize that this team has been around for 11 years and to see where it is. We're going to be building from scratch.

"We're going to have to hustle to try to get something done this year. I don't know how much we can do, but by next year, hopefully we'll be a lot stronger."