ARENA FACES TOUGH TEST IN CHARGE OF US SOCCER TEAM

Bruce Arena’s second spell in charge of the US men’s national team is not going to be an easy ride for the tactician.


Not that his first spell was but this time there are unique challenges he must conquer. The coach has had his first training camp with the players but the first months of 2017 will be a real test.

There are two upcoming matches that can make or break his second spell as he prepares a team that can make the 2018 World Cup despite a poor start in the qualifying campaign.

The match against Honduras on March 24 is the first of the early tests. Arena is poised to visit players and continue his watch in the MLS whilst preparing strategies.

For the Honduras test, Jermaine Jones and Timmy Chandler are set to miss the game. Mostly players from the domestic league are expected to feature.

Tim Howard is injured, Brad Guzan might not be available meaning Real Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando, who impressed at the winter camp, might be starting the much-anticipated match.

At the backline, Newcastle United player DeAndre Yedlin would have been a partner to Chandler. There is Jorge Villafana, Graham Zusi and Walker Zimmerman – who impressed at the winter camp. It remains unknown if Stoke City Geoff Cameron can beat fitness concerns ahead of the date.

At the middle, Michael Bradley would anchor. 2010 World Cup team player Benny Feilhaber – who decent against Jamaica – and Sacha Kljestan, with decent qualifying experience, are likely starters in the middle. There is the option of Alejandro Bedoya, Dax McCarty, Darlington Nagbe, Christian Pulisic, Julain Green and Perry Kitchen as well.

Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood and Jordan Morris are likely forwards but there are rumours that Clint Dempsey – who returned from a six-month absence – could be an option in the must-win match.

Arena has his work clearly cut out.

Bruce Arena’s second spell in charge of the US men’s national team is not going to be an easy ride for the tactician.


Not that his first spell was but this time there are unique challenges he must conquer. The coach has had his first training camp with the players but the first months of 2017 will be a real test.

There are two upcoming matches that can make or break his second spell as he prepares a team that can make the 2018 World Cup despite a poor start in the qualifying campaign.

The match against Honduras on March 24 is the first of the early tests. Arena is poised to visit players and continue his watch in the MLS whilst preparing strategies.

For the Honduras test, Jermaine Jones and Timmy Chandler are set to miss the game. Mostly players from the domestic league are expected to feature.

Tim Howard is injured, Brad Guzan might not be available meaning Real Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando, who impressed at the winter camp, might be starting the much-anticipated match.

At the backline, Newcastle United player DeAndre Yedlin would have been a partner to Chandler. There is Jorge Villafana, Graham Zusi and Walker Zimmerman – who impressed at the winter camp. It remains unknown if Stoke City Geoff Cameron can beat fitness concerns ahead of the date.

At the middle, Michael Bradley would anchor. 2010 World Cup team player Benny Feilhaber – who decent against Jamaica – and Sacha Kljestan, with decent qualifying experience, are likely starters in the middle. There is the option of Alejandro Bedoya, Dax McCarty, Darlington Nagbe, Christian Pulisic, Julain Green and Perry Kitchen as well.

Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood and Jordan Morris are likely forwards but there are rumours that Clint Dempsey – who returned from a six-month absence – could be an option in the must-win match.

Arena has his work clearly cut out.