Though Bruce Arena is most recently (and unfairly) remembered as the man who didn’t lead the U.S. men’s national team into the World Cup, his work at New England this season drew praise from Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer and two players Friday. Atlanta United will host New England on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Revs were 2-8-2, tied for fewest points in MLS, when Brad Friedel was fired May 9.
Five days later, the Revs announced that Bruce Arena, one of the most successful managers in MLS history and holder of five MLS Cups as well as three Gold Cups won while managing the U.S. men’s national team, was taking over.
It was a chance for New England owner Robert Kraft to show that, after years of neglecting the franchise, he was serious about making soccer work in the Boston area. It was a chance for Arena to show that, once again, he could manage, just as he did at D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls, the L.A. Galaxy and the U.S. men’s national team.
Arena won his first game on the sidelines, 2-1 at the Galaxy. The team went 7-2-8 in its next 17, clinching a playoff berth with last week’s 2-0 win against NYCFC.
“He brings, I mean, is the word ‘gravitas?’” said Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, who played for Arena while with the Galaxy in 2016. “A guy that walks in the door and everybody will stop and listen. Since they went to the final with Jay (Heaps), they’ve been searching for themselves again.
“He’s brought that confidence. He’s a guy that doesn’t care what many people think. He’s going to do it his way. That can go a long way in the locker room. You get a bunch of alpha guys that believe in themselves, and then get someone that says they believes in them, that can go a long way and I think it has this year. If you told those guys that they would be making the playoffs in April, I think they would looked at you said no chance.”
Guzan described Arena as a player’s manager. Arena shortened New England’s training sessions and kept the team focused, which Guzan said players appreciate.
“He gives you your freedom off the field, so that when you step on the field you understand your responsibilities,” Guzan said. “You understand the task at hand, and you are ready to compete and battle.”
New England has responded.
De Boer praised New England for its organization on the pitch, citing twice that the team has lost only two games since Arena took over.
“That means he’s doing something really well with the boys,” de Boer said. “That’s a very big compliment to him.”
That Arena was able to step in during the season, get the Revs players to buy into the system and produce positive results is a sign of determination, according to de Boer.
“Normally, you have to adapt as a coach, but they have to adapt to your style,” he said. “The advantage that he has, and why they chose him, is he has that experience. It doesn’t meant that if you are experienced, suddenly it’s going to change totally.
“He made a real difference.”
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