By Lucas Quick and Larry Larkin – Spear Reporters | The San Jose Earthquakes introduce Bruce Arena as their head coach (photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of the Spear)
It’s official. Success and experience has been welcomed with the newest San Jose Earthquakes hire in head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena.
The Earthquakes are looking to turn the page after recent struggles, bringing in one of MLS’ most successful coaches. Here are a couple things to know about the newest member:
Arena’s Accolades
Bruce Areana poses for photos (photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
Arena is the winningest head coach in MLS and U.S. men’s national team history. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010.
He has an MLS record 262 regular season wins and 35 postseason wins.
He has 19 seasons of MLS head coaching experience and ten years experience as the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team. His ten years as the U.S. men’s national team’s head coach had two stints, one from 1998 to 2006 and one from 2016 to 2017.
Arena is a five-time MLS Cup champion and four-time Supporters’ Shield winner. He guided D.C. United to the 1998 CONCACAF Champions Cup championship. Also a four-time MLS Coach of the Year winner, an all-time record.
In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he guided the United States to the quarterfinals. It was the national team’s best World Cup finish since coming in third place in 1930.
Prior to his professional head coaching career, he was the head coach of the University of Virginia men’s soccer team where he won five national championships.
Similar Place, new experience
This is the first time Arena is coaching in the Bay Area, but he still has had plenty of experience in the past here.
Arena’s first-ever game he coached with D.C. United faced the San Jose Earthquakes in the first game played in MLS history in 1996 at Spartan Stadium, now known as CEFCU Stadium.
Ironically, his first international game with the U.S.A. men’s national team was also played in San Jose. They took on Australia at Spartan Stadium in 1998.
Along with being the head coach of the LA Galaxy, Arena has had many moments going against the Earthquakes.
“Some spirited contests as the coach of the LA Galaxy,” Arena said. “I was never real confident coming up here to play.”
The past is pushed aside, as a former rival now has control of the wheel behind San Jose, aiming to achieve its previous level of success.
“You have a great tradition here,” Arena said. “It’s been a fantastic city for soccer, and I’m anxious to try to move the club forward and make our team one that everyone in the community can be proud of.”
Warm and sunny days are ahead for the future of the Earthquakes, in addition to the weather he will experience in Silicon Valley.
“This part of California is one of the greatest places that we live in this country,” Arena said. “The weather is beautiful, the tradition here is great and the challenge is great, so you can’t ask for more.”
Resigning in New England
On Sept. 9, 2023, Arena resigned from his job as the head coach and sporting director of the New England Revolution. He held his job for five seasons.
Earlier that year on July 30, he was placed on administrative leave.
“The position I hold in an organization as a sporting director and head coach is one where I”m held to a higher standard than basically anyone in our building,” Arena said. “And I need to be smart about the things I say in my actions.”
He addressed the leave which MLS said were “allegations that he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks.”
Shaping up the Quakes towards the future
It’s been a rough few seasons for San Jose, coming out of 2024 with their worst record in franchise history. They were the only MLS team to not finish with at least 30 points, with a record of 6-25-3.
There’s still talent on the Earthquakes, with midfielders Cristian Espinosa and Hernán López. The academy also has produced young talent looking to lead San Jose in the future.
“The systems in place, and I know there’s a number of homegrown players here,” Arena said. “So we’re going to keep a close eye on that, and at the right time, give those players an opportunity.”
The first overall pick in the MLS re-entry draft and the second pick of the super draft are in the Earthquakes’ hands. Arena has an opportunity to grow his new team with young talent moving forward.
“I’m a person that believes in young players,” Arena said. “And if they show us that they have the ability and mentality to be first-team players, we’re going to give them opportunities.”
Something to look at in Arena’s success with his previous years coaching in the MLS is his capability of turning teams around.
When he began his stint with the Galaxy, they were in the bottom of the standing. In 2008, they were tied with the worst record in the MLS. One season later, they were tied for first place in the Western Conference and eventually would win three MLS cups in four seasons.
Very similar to his experience with the New England Revolution, where he took them to their first playoff appearance in four seasons in 2019, reached the Eastern Conference final in 2020 and finished with the best regular season record in MLS history in 2021. A record that was broken by Inter Miami CF in 2024. It was one of the biggest turnarounds in MLS history.
The Earthquakes hope for a similar result and aim for a championship pedigree like the recent one’s Arena has been able to accomplish.
“Every situation is different. They all have their own pros and cons,” Arena said. “This is a great environment and I think the potential here is enormous.”
