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Source: 30dB.com – Bruce%20Arena
n Tuesday, the USMNT lost to Trinidad and Tobago, an island nation with a population of less than 1.5 million, by a score of 2-1. The defeat eliminated the U.S. from the upcoming World Cup for the first time since 1996. After the match, Arena initially absorbed the blame, saying: “We should not be staying home for this World Cup. I take responsibility for that.” But he infuriated American soccer fans when asked what the program would need to do to avoid this sort of situation again. “Nothing has to change,” he said. “To make any kind of crazy changes I think would be foolish.” In Arena’s first go-round with the USMNT from 1998-2006, he achieved the most international wins in team history. But after a disappointing showing at the 2006 World Cup, he was ushered out the door. With his current contract expiring next July, it’s unclear if he’ll be around long enough even to attempt getting the U.S. back onto the World Cup stage. Over the last day, Twitter gives Bruce Arena just a 25 percent positive score. –Alex Shultz
Republished from 30dB