Arena blocked by own team
D.C. United GM hampers Arena's chances for U.S. job
Posted: Friday October 02, 1998 01:18 PM
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Arena has been mentioned as one of the leading candidates for the job Doug Pensinger/Allsport |
NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. Soccer Federation is within a week of
naming a new coach, and D.C. United general manager Kevin Payne apparently
isn't helping Bruce Arena's chances.
Earlier this week, dates for the Interamerican Cup between the
South American Copa Libertadores champion, Brazil's Vasco da Gama,
and the CONCACAF champ, D.C. United, were set for November 14 in
Washington and December 5 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
With the United States set to host Australia in a friendly November
6 in San Jose, California, the USSF wants to have its replacement
for Steve Sampson, who resigned after the World Cup, in place
before then.
But Payne has been quoted as saying he won't release Arena from
his contract until after the Inteamerican Cup games. The MLS Cup
title game, which D.C. United is the two-time defending champion,
is set for October 25 in Pasadena, California.
"The Interamerican Cup is much more important than a friendly
against Australia, and I'm sure the USSF would agree with that,"
Payne said.
Not necessarily.
Even though a victory by United would go a long way to improving
the international prestige of U.S. Major League Soccer and U.S.
soccer in general, Steinbrecher is not as easily convinced as
Payne.
"If [Arena] is selected, we would want him to coach in that
November game," USSF secretary general Hank Steinbrecher said
Friday. "I'm surprised that Kevin is making those statements. It
would be wise if it is the same candidate [Arena], that something
be worked out."
"I think everyone's making a hasty judgment that Bruce will be
our coach."
Arena has been mentioned as the leading candidate of four
potentials, along with former U.S. coach and current New York-New
Jersey MetroStars manager Bora Milutinovic, former Portuguese
national team coach Carlos Queiroz and former Brazil manager Carlos
Alberto Parreira.
Steinbrecher said Payne's comments could possibly harm Arena's
chances, but not necessarily doom them.
The USSF could name a player to coach the game against
Australia, most likely captain-sweeper Thomas Dooley, or one of the
other staff coaches, such as under-17 coach John Ellinger,
Steinbrecher said.
"We have a lot of options," Steinbrecher said. "All of this
will most likely be decided by the end of next week."
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