Bruce Arena on World Cup, managing Dempsey & current USMNT generation | CBS Sports Kickin' It 

I enjoyed the show we need Bob Bradley, Jurgen Klinsman, and Gregg Berhater on the show.

The best interviews are the ones where time has passed and the guests have a chance to really open up and say things previously not discussed.

I still remember watching that 2002 knockout game live against Mexico. I was still playing D2 soccer in college. It was 3 in the morning. I felt like that game really gave us validity that we can’t get looked over anymore on the biggest stage. The crowd shots of the Mexican fans after the match are core memories. I can’t imagine what those players felt after that game.

OH MAN! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!! NEED JURGAN NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arena was really good at managing a locker room, not just the field stuff. He straightened out the Galaxys mess after Ruud, turned them into a dynasty, winning 3 MLS cups in 4 years, dealing with Robbie, Landon, and David

Good interview. Give the man his final go-around with an MLS Club. Why not one of the expansion teams? San Diego or whoever is next

THE BRUCE. Love it. Thank for all you did for USMNT, MLS and me as a Div-1 player. Kevin (Ursinius camp, you know when). Thank you for 2002 and all you taught me. RESPECT

Fascinating program for old school fans. Absolutely love your program. Consistent golazos. Please mic and film the upcoming golf grudge match, too!

what a unique mindset Bruce Arena has, truly extraordinary person

Arena has ALL my respect.

As a fan of Dempseys generation I find this episode incredibly insightful and interesting. The honesty and candor is really refreshing. Awesome stuff.

Everything about this interview, i loved about. Bruce, loved him as a Galaxy coach when i was kid but hearing him now now that I’m older. I understand him a lot more and he’s being realistic with everything he said. Much respect for him and i wish him the best of luck with his next coaching job. He deserves a good ending for his career. I hope with Galaxy.

These interviews are so good. Love this show a lot and I feel it not only gives you insights into ex Usmnt players/coaches, but it's almost like therapy session for all involved and it's great sometimes to clear stuff up or just vent.

Bruce Arena brought the USA to the World Cup 2002 quarterfinal, the highest since the first World Cup 👍. But everything went down after that.

"What are you gonna fine beckham" had me dying lmaooo

Bruce is all time great coach, unfortunate how things ended with Team USA in ‘17. But it doesn’t take away what he did for the USMNT from ‘98 - ‘06 which was an amazing run of success and what he did with DC United and LA Galaxy building different dynasties along the way. Absolute legend!

I miss this man like hell. One of the greatest figures in the American game. So important to our history and how far we’ve come in his time

Love this show. Wynalda and Arena as guests and Clint and Charlie Davies, as well. Fun watch for sure.

I have a lot of respect for Bruce, a great MLS manager.

Probably the best coach the USMNT has ever had (1998-2006), but he had the strongest US team we ever had. The current team pales in comparison with what we had in 2002.

How times have changed,I remember not too long ago when it was a dream to play under the stewardship of Bruce Arena when he was at UVA. No professional league. Did a swell of job at D.C United with the likes of Marco Etcheverry and not to mention him restoring USMNT ‘02 World Cup after an abysmal display at the ‘98 World Cup in France. My only bone to pick with him was what the hell was he thinking against the ‘18 World Cup qualifier/Trinidad. I remember thinking,we were so arrogant with that approach coach,but you’re still a Legend to me. •Don’t get me started on Germany/Torsting Frings + Hugh Dallas!🤬

Great interview, probably the best epi I saw on here so far... !

Dope interview. Really enjoyed that. Thanks.

That's so good to jump back in my first USMNT memories. The World Cup 2002, the first time I saw Landon playing, when I discovered Clint in 2005, that WC 2006 preparation, the "Studio 90" show of USsoccer website with Neil Buethe. That was really interesting. But I do think that we need to see Bob Bradley soon. I still think he coached the strongest USMNT ever from 2009 to 2011. Landon, Clint, Jozy, Michael, Charlie, JJones, Howard, Feilhaber, Beasley, what a team it was !!

I appreciate the respectful manner with which Kate asked about his issues while at New England…

The LA Galaxy was never the same after Bruce left 😔 The man is a legend of our league

This is an amazing program. I could say much more, but I'll just say, great job.

I never heard of Bruce before this but was a good watch guy talks alot of sense and has clearly been a big part of the US evolution in football

Love these interviews. Greetings from Los Angeles

Love Bruce! We should've won that game against Germany in '02!!! If you are not familiar, watch the highlight! Great team!

bruce "the godfather" arena good to see him! kinda blows my mind how bruce did richie williams so many favors in his playing career (we all know williams was not even close to international caliber), only for the little munchkin to be catalyst of his career being cancelled. bruce has my respect.

I like listening to him a helluva lot better than I like listening to Greggy... or Jesse for that matter.

@CBS Sports Golazo thank you for giving Bruce his flowers

Absolute legend

Keep em coming!!! Best content in “soccer”

Bruce Arena is coach of first USA team in a World Cup that I really followed. 2002.

Love the openness and honesty about feelings. I always admired Arena - he was a winner and I suspect his skill was understanding how to motivate the National team and his successes with the club teams. The current National team Coach is second best to this guy. He should coach the team now because the IS ain’t winning nothing in the next World Cup.

CBS Golazo, we NEED a segment with Deuce golfing against some of these guests!!!

One thing that changed my mind about him was his insight in the qualifiers for 2018, he knew ussoccer was a messed up of a federation, & ussoccer had the AUDACITY, to tell him to stay after FAILING to qualify. No disrespect to him, but after failing to qualify for WORLD CUP, EVERYTHING needs to go, ussoccer president, MLS president, staff member, coaches. You do a complete RE-DO. This is the difference between American & European mentality. Landon not having the urge to play while Irishman Robbie Keane & Englishman David Beckham did speaks volumes. If everyone had the mentality Clint had, we could’ve made it semi finals by now.

Great interview. He was a good guest

Good raw interview!

Kate Abdo is adorable. She’s also very talented and a very intelligent woman. Respect

Revs fan here...Bring back Bruce, please!!!!!

Bruce 100% has his picks. And Landon was definitely on the pick list.

Ill never forgive the Revs for dropping him and not informing ANYONE why. We’ve been in shambles since

Love Bruce so much ❤️ he’d make a Mount Rushmore of us coaches even if Rushmore only had two heads on it lol

You could cut the tension between Deuce and Bruce in there with a knife! A real mixed bag interview from Bruce. While I respect him taking responsibility for the 2018 WC qualification failure, he also seemed to make a lot of excuses for not having qualified. Also, I do agree that the 2002 team was one of our best, but let's be real, Pulisic is already miles ahead of what Donovan could ever be! Just because he hasn't made it to a quarterfinals in a World Cup is not on him, but on his coach! And let's not forget that Bruce denied Pulisic his first opportunity to play in a World Cup. Overall, glad to see that Arena agreed to the interview, though, gotta respect that.

man charlie davies is cracking me up at 9:42

Clint still looks at Bruce like he wants to kick his 🫏

I hope they film that golf game between Bruce and Deuce

Where is the "Brought to you by Celsius" tagline at? 🤣😂😆😁

Bruce Arena is the greatest Coach in North American history. He orchestrated DC United championships , the victory over Vosco Degama the team that crushed Man United two years later and should have been semi finalists in 2002 because of the greatness of Oliver Khan. Evidence over opinions.. Bruce was amazing st LA Galaxy and New England Revolution too..I have coached and played for years. In Canada there are so many arrogant coaches and none of them are close to Bruce. Scotland offered Bruce the job but he declined.

He was a hater…. Clint was on his way to break goal scoring record ….he was a Landon guy 😂

Come back to DC and coach em to #5! Full circle

Please get Tab Ramos on the show

My boy Thierry

Mount Rushmore of USMNT Landon Donovan Clint Dempsey Brian McBride Claudio Reyna Casey Keller Brad Friedl

Would bruce arena take the sdfc job?

Best 4 usa: kasey keller, landon donavan, brad friedel, tim howard then pulisic

So Micheal healing I’m crying

39:50 Bravo Coach Arena 👍 This is the Keyword that National Media needs to focus on, in interviews around the USMNT. This is a part of what Gregg Berhalter Failed at. The other Part is he was outclassed by other National Coaches such us Panama's coach. You need to have Players with the right Mentality (Dempsey's for example) And you need a Coach who know who he's playing against, to have a chance to outsmart them We were outsmarted by Panama and Uruguay coaching-wise, rather easily. We have talent in the USMNT, like Pulisic Weak Balogun McKinney etc.. Ream (Matt too) but there are many missing characteristics in the players, only the Coach can get that addition out of them. Soccer will become a state Matter soon, we won't do very well under coaches such as Berhalter. He needs to be more like Marsch to have a chance. The Role Model coach for the US is still ARENA, until another US coaches dethrones him. The man is still alive, give Bruce the reigns and get out of the way.

48:00 Good answer. Start the conversation with whomever asks you to commit to winning the world cup, there. Which Major League Baseball player start the conversation during the spring training, about preparing for winning the seventh game? In World Cup Soccer the final is the seventh game (until they change the format, if they do..) A team like the USMNT, especially if playing the World Cup as Hosts, should never talk about any match beyond next match. And that's how you teach the kids (FANS) to focus on what's important which is what's immediate. You don't focus on the BAR exam in Highschool. FANs can talk it's their right, but USMNT members should be Role Models in terms of how we talk about bigger goals. You listen to the Coach and hopefully it's a Positive Ambitious Smart Coach who know to say to all his players and staff to focus on the immediate Test.

He got results but Bruce seems like a complete narcissist. Team Dempsey for how he handled an American legend. Unbelievable these coaches are more childish than young players.

Man said I seen your college transcript lol

Bruce telling a player that "he should've just told him how he felt" is crazy. Players will never be 100% honest with the coaches because coaches pick favorites. Period. Every coach at every new club team, the first thing they do is sign their former players. If you're on a national team and you fall out with the coach, you can ruin your career.

Pulisic is a better player than Donovan, Bruce Arena is comparing Donovan v Pulisic in International terms with the US, on that basis he is right, however as a player Pulisic has played with the big boys of Europe, Dortmund, Chelsea and AC Milan, Donovan at its peak was a Bayern Leverkusen/Bayern Munich, but didn’t play much.

Why didnt anyone ask why He didnt take TT ? They all knew why.

Arena comes off as a bit of a narcissist- he seemed easily threatened when he “teased” Clint by saying he would have run him off the field if they played each other. Earlier in the interview he admitted not getting to know Dempsey until the last game of the tournament. Meanwhile, Clint says he was reporting his dissatisfaction to the team’s sports psychologist. Anyway, it was insightful

As good as Bruce was in 2002, he was worse in 2017. Respect the guy. Clint obviously in the Mt Rushmore of us soccer - slam dunk choice - with Landon. To omit Clint, speaks volumes on their relationship. Agree with his starting 11...wish the guys would have let him finish naming the team. We really need an Eddie Pope for 2024! Agree with the need for a tougher team out there today and that fight and will to win. Friedel we could use now too! More Clint Dempseys for sure!! 2002 wc team and 2009 Confederations cup team (with charlie davis) were the two best USA representations of a winning squad we have had to date. For heavens sake, play to WIN games, every one of them, and not for "experience" or learning. I have a feeling the good ole boys network at us soccer federation will need a shake up for a more progressive winning culture. Look up the definition of insanity. Cheering for the boys all the while, USA USA!!

Clint was about to jump on Bruce lol

47:55 Yes, but there are certain goals you shouldn't talk about outside the team. Of course you must go into any tournament with the intention of winning, otherwise don't play. But, the WC is a tournament where you don't want to draw too much attention to you.. Try to sneak in couple of stages if possible, the Tough Pressure will come to you and so if you manage to delay that.. accept it as a gift or an advantage. Don't talk about Winning the Cup, which is the Seventh match. Talk about winning the next game and stay focused only on that next them. And even that, don't give the other team something concrete to focus on. Sometimes it's beneficial to your team to let the opponent guessing until the night before Led to believe you only want a tie or a small victory, and shock them during the game.. Then let the entire group guess and maybe they'll be overconfident against you. I would only talk in general terms about group stage, we want to qualify in 1st or 2nd place. But never say I want to win the first match or second match, resist the Media even if that journalist is your best friend of your brother. GIVE Absolutely nothing to the opponents through the Media. As far as after group stage, have a strategy that everyone adhere to, of playing match by match. You hear this kind of idea in the MLB or NFL or NBA or NHL.. they all know of to manage competitions such as the World Series etc.. When you talk about your team in the World Cup, you are essentially helping the opponent's coach get idea. If you say I want to beat Panama, then you incentivize their players to unite the front with their coaching staff against you. Do as little damage to your team through the Media as possible, unless you are constructing a Trap for you know who. We don't say "I want to win game seven or the final" because that means you will not be focusing enough on the next game, which maybe the semifinal or a group game. Say nothing about nothing, and even that is saying too much !!!!

We had a home crowd at Red Bull Arena, Bruce. I was there. The team selection and tactics sucked the air out of the stadium and people were leaving by the 60th minute. I can’t believe you still blame NY for your performance. 37:10

Agree with Clint. Minimum is a semi final. Anything less, is disappointing

For US Coaches, Coaching in EUROPE should be considered a MUST. You will get the opportunity of getting %50 or more of Soccer Experience in the World. If' it's not %50 is more and it maybe be as much as %70. Africa now has it's identity, meaning you have to take a look at how they play and become an expert if you're going to face them in the WC. But if you coached 3 or 4 years in a good European Leagues, you can get the necessary knowledge about African Soccer. Asia now too has its own Soccer identity. Being clever in how you face each opponent can help you maybe %50 in getting the point(s) you want or need. You have to beat one team in group stage at least, and not lose. This gives you a good setup for the sudden death stages, based on the American personality or character and experience. The American player/team should be hungry for WINS after group stage, but not over confident. The psychology is very very very basic and simple but hugely important. The reason is, that's what the opponent's coach is trying to do with you. In the World Cup, the USMNT should be HUNGRY for Results, and never ever over confident. Hit the victim, smile and move on to the next opponent. Be nice but never pay the bill. You have to uncover the real profile of each opponent from the players to the coaching staff USE the Energy you get from your FANS to your advantage, don't let the other team rob you of anything. Start with the 2002 experience and try to do better at every stage of the preparation to the world cup.

Clint Dempsey comes off like a bitter, pouty baby

You should never ask the Best US Men's Coach ever, who does he think the best US Men's coach is. But, you can bring a legitimate panel, ask them that question, with him sitting on a couch watching the discussion, to honor him while he's a live. Best USMNT team ever is the 2002 - and that's a FACT! Results are metrics on which we base FACTS. Now, Circus or Gymnastics are a different type of sports (add to them Tennis) they are nothing like Soccer/Football. So don't use Circus Metrics in judging Soccer.

After the poor results in Copa America, Arena's comments about the team needing more attitudes like Dempsey hit squarely home. This generation of players is talented, spoiled, and mentally weak. The next coach needs to be Vince Lombardi and Mike Ditka combined.

Actually Mexico was ranked 4th in 2006. USA was 5th

we are missing a Dempsey type player right now.

Eddie Johnson NOW, or are y'all scared?!

Klinsmann set us up to have the team we have today. He was changing things from top to bottom.

Kate’s switching accents! again 😂😂

He rules. Give him a league two English position and see what happens

Bruce was done dirty by Kraft and the New England Revolution.

Klinsmann would gaslight so bad if he was ever on one of these... biggest con artist ever.

Ability-wise pulisic is definitely better than Donovan

The Federation should rehire Bruce for the Job of Head Coach of the USMNT !

When Arena says any coach can do tactics, Dempseys criticizing his tactics and Jones criticized his tactics

OMG, they’re not beeping the curse words - nice to get rid of that sillyness…

I like Bruce, but blaming a loss on the social media team 🤨

Yes the players are more capable than in Arenas early days but they don’t have the balls!!! Thats what is missing!!! Add the capabilities to what the lads had that played back 20 years ago than maybe the US has something.

I’m immediately discrediting anyone who has Michael Bradley or Altidore in their top 5

That Trinidad loss was such a hurtful situation. I was at the Panama game in Orlando it was such a good game, and then We only needed a tie to move on. Never forgive you for that

Obviously I have no idea what happened. But considering how Bruce is so willing to talk about what happened in new england but for a NDA/legal reasons - it makes me feel like he got shafted. There were rumors of some player abuse, maybe even something racial? But didn't all the players not go to practice or something in solidarity with him? Anyway, whatever happened in new england seems like a travesty. If the same situation happened in one of the major 4 american sports leagues ESPN would be on it day and night.

Let’s face it the rich kids are playing soccer in the USA so where you finding your Clint Dempsey? Global players scratch their way up from the streets.

This is so f*cking awkward 😂😂😂😂😂 who the heck thought this would be a good idea?! Everyone is SO uncomfortable 💀💀💀💀

I would take Dempsey before Christian pullistic, no bashing down on pullistic greatness today but Dempsey got more killer instinct than pullistic period

USMNT mount rusmore is easy. Landon, christian, Clint and…. Timmmmmmyyy 😂

Having Donovan in his Mount Rushmore is preposterous. Hence the reason why the “soccer” is being managed by the coaches.

Christian hasn't reached Lando's level yet? Respectfully but adamantly disagree, coach.