Publisher's Synopsis
In this revealing memoir, timed to be released just prior to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the most successful soccer coach in American history reveals what it takes to train and prepare the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) to compete against the best soccer players on the planet in the biggest tournament of all-the World Cup
For decades, Americans ignored the world's game-soccer. While interest in the sport began to rise in the 1970s-leading to the United States hosting its first World Cup in 1994 and the establishment of a domestic professional league, Major League Soccer (MLS), in 1996-its national team continued to be considered vastly inferior to the those of powerhouse nations like Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina.
Then came Bruce Arena. When Arena took over the USMNT, he was already the most successful coach in American history, leading the University of Virginia to five national titles and DC United to the first two championships in the fledgling MLS. Bringing his skills and brains to the USMNT, American men's soccer began to excel. In the 2002 World Cup, the US men stunned a highly favored Portugal team, featuring the great Luis Figo, in a shocking 3-2 victory, and nearly knocked off eventual champion Germany in the quarterfinals. By reaching the final eight of the 2002 World Cup, the Americans announced to the world that they had arrived-all thanks to Arena, who is behind their drive to once again secure a place in the 2018 World Cup.
In this informative book, fans will learn what makes the most storied-and successful-soccer coach in US history tick. Combining his philosophy with nuts-and-bolts guidance, Arena teaches coaches how they can follow his blueprint to successfully train their own players.
