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10 Reasons Why Bruce Arena Should Win MLS Coach Of The Year

By Jo-Ryan Salazar

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Aug 7, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena at press conference at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Conventional wisdom suggests that the race for MLS Coach Of The Year will parallel the race for the MLS Supporters’ Shield. That means one of two accomplished managers will take the prize: Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders Football Club…and Bruce Arena of the Los Angeles Galaxy Football Club. As a supporter of the Galaxy since its inception and a source of Galaxy coverage here on the MLS Multiplex, I have reason to believe that Arena has a chance to win this prestigious award.

So, without further ado, I bring you 10 Reasons Why Bruce Arena Should Win MLS Coach Of The Year.

1. The Galaxy Are Playing Really Good Soccer Right About Now

Here in the Southland, Bruce Arena is known as “Bruce Almighty” when the Galaxy are playing dominant soccer. Ever since that insipid display on Aug. 16 against the Columbus Crew on the road, the Los Angeles Galaxy activated God Mode and have been unstoppable, going unbeaten in their last 10 matches with a record of eight wins and two draws.

The Galaxy have the most goals forwarded (66), least goals allowed (31), the best goal differential (+35), the most home goals scored (42) and the best home goals differential (30), which is twice as good as D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake, all tied for second with 15. In fact, if the Galaxy had a 10-game winning streak rather than a 10-game unbeaten streak, Los Angeles would have the best record in the league. That’s dominance.

Aug 27, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; D.C. Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10) raises his arms after scoring on a penalty kick in the second half of the game against D.C. United at StubHub Center. Galaxy won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

2. Landon Donovan: The Goal And Assist King

One of a number of players that have been instrumental to the Galaxy’s success is Landon Donovan. With 144 goals and 136 assists, Donovan holds the records for most regular season goals and assists in a career. Arena has played a part in helping improve Donovan’s game and has benefited from the payoff.

Aug 8, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (7) reacts after an offsides call during the game against the San Jose Earthquake during the second half at StubHub Center. The game ended in a draw with a final score of 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

3. Robbie Keane: The Goal Machine And Steadfast Captain

Another player that adds to the case for Bruce Arena winning Coach Of The Year is Robbie Keane. Keane has 19 goals and 14 assists and exemplifies the type of leadership you love to see in a captain. His touch and his finesse are second-to-none when it’s clicking.

Sep 20, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes (11) moves the ball against the FC Dallas during the second half at StubHub Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated FC Dallas with a final score of 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

4. Gyasi Zardes: The Face Of The Future

Arena has been instrumental in the development and evolution of forward Gyasi Zardes. Zardes has 16 goals and is a clinical finisher that has yet to see his best days. Zardes’s 16 goals is currently the record for most goals in a single season by an MLS Homegrown Player.

Sep 28, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo (18) in the second half of the game against the New York Red Bulls at StubHub Center. Galaxy won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jaime Penedo: The Panamanian Iceman

Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo has proven to be a hot commodity after being picked up last season. Clearly an upgrade from Carlo Cudicini, Penedo currently has 77 saves to his name and could be in it for the long haul as the Galaxy’s No. 1 goalkeeper.

Sep 20, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez (4) moves the ball down the field in front of FC Dallas forward Blas Perez (7) during the second half at StubHub Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated FC Dallas with a final score of 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

6. An improved Los Angeles Galaxy defense

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The Galaxy may still have liabilities like Leonardo on the books, but they have been resilient, as seen in the number of goals allowed. It starts with the combo of Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza. Add in some reliable veterans like James Riley and Dan Gargan combined with Robbie Rogers moving to left back, as well as a decent standby in Tommy Meyer, and suddenly the Galaxy have a competent backline that has been battle-tested.

Sep 28, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10), midfielder Baggio Husidic (6) and midfielder Stefan Ishizaki (24) celebrate a goal by forward Gyasi Zardes (11) in the second half of the game against the New York Red Bulls at StubHub Center. Galaxy won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

7. Tiki-Taco. That’s All You Need To Know.

The Galaxy have been a treat to watch for the passing sequences they tend to concoct at times. Who can forget the 26-pass sequence leading to a peach of a goal from Baggio Husidic against D.C. United in August?  Or the 16-pass sequence leading to Gyasi Zardes’s goal against New York last month?

The fact is, this short passing game, which the Galaxy calls “tiki-taco,” is something that fans at the Hub are used to seeing. It’s system-like. Rotate the ball around the backline, channel it to the midfield, and have the midfielders use skill, finesse and technique to maneuver it to the attacking third for chances.

When everybody gets involved, everybody wins. That’s how Bruce Arena likes it.

Sep 20, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Stefan Ishizaki (left) attempts to pass the ball while defended by FC Dallas defender Moises Hernandez (3) during the second half at StubHub Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated FC Dallas with a final score of 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

8. Stefan Ishizaki’s Contributions Are Invaluable

Of the new faces that have arrived to the Galaxy, it’s two that are noteworthy: Dan Gargan…and Stefan Ishizaki. With four goals and seven assists, Ishizaki has been a contributor off the bench and on the field and is competent on set pieces. Ishizaki is an important part of the supporting cast that will need to earn his pay this month and in November, when it matters most.

Oct 4, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Alan Gordon (9) drinks a beer with fans after the game against Toronto FC at StubHub Center. The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Toronto FC with a final score of 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

9. Alan Gordon: Welcome Back, Bash Brother!

Target forward Alan Gordon, Long Beach born-and-raised, is an off-the-bench goalscorer that also downs an occasional beer after matches. Seriously though, Gordo. Herbalife has been giving you some of the best nutritional drinks out there and yet, you juice down a cold one after hammering one past Toronto FC late?

You little ripper. Clearly the detractors for Gordon are dwindling. Since joining the Galaxy from San Jose, Gordon has become the club’s fourth leading goalscorer with five goals this season and is hungry for more late show theatrics.

10. Arena Has The Track Record. Enough Said.

Winning the MLS Coach Of The Year for Season 2014 in Major League Soccer will be an addition to an already-successful track record of honors. Arguably the winningest coach in club history, Bruce Arena has won the MLS Coach of the Year award in 1997, 2009 and 2011, to go with two MLS Cups, two Supporters’ Shields and three conference championships. And that’s not including his work with D.C. United.

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The fact of the matter is this: the MLS Coach of the Year needs to be award to a manager whose team has been consistent, whose team has been dominant against many strong opponents in the league, and who style of play is balanced and productive and includes key players with reputations in their own right. For Bruce Arena, a fourth Coach of the Year sounds like a justly-deserved award.

Does Bruce Arena deserves MLS Coach of the Year? Sound off in the comments below!

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