Bruce Arena on USMNT’s recent struggles: ‘It was shocking’

Bruce Arena says he was “shocked” how the U.S. national team did against Panama and Canada at the Concacaf Nations League, where it lost to both teams.

But he isn’t surprised the USMNT has struggled so far under Argentine Mauricio Pochettino — a foreign coach (and assistants) with no previous national team experience.

He appeared on the “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, whom he both coached on the USMNT and who have spoken on their show extensively about the apparent lack of pride and leadership on the national team.

“If you look at every national team in the world, the coach is usually a domestic coach. When you have coaches who don’t know our culture, our environment, our players, it’s hard. Listen, I’m sure our coach is a very good coach. 

“Coaching international football is different than club football. It’s a completely different job. People ask me all the time, ‘Whatcha like? This or that? Whatcha like better?’ They’re two different jobs, and people don’t understand that.

“When you’re a national team coach you need to know your environment, you need to know the animals you’re coaching, and we’re lacking that.

“If you’re an American coach in the U.S. team, you know the culture, you know the pride and how important the national team is. I think when you bring in somebody from the outside, they don’t understand it and especially in our country because we’re so different.”

Donovan mentioned the issue of pride and leadership.

“I’m watching and I’m shocked that we can’t beat Panama and Canada,” Arena added. “It was shocking to me. I don’t want to be disrespectful. I want them to do great in the World Cup. There’s no question about it. But we only have a year left now. Time is running out, and they got to get going.”

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