Source: Scuffed (USMNT & World Cup) — #673: Bruce Arena joins the pod

Duration: 24 min

Listen to the full episode


USMNT 2018 World Cup failure

It was a poorly pieced together group of players in that four-year cycle [leading up to 2018]. We felt that we could have replaced half the roster.

Bruce Arena

World Cup 2026

The World Cup has expanded to 48 teams, which is going to make some games in group play ridiculous, in my opinion. They're easily getting out of group play. I don't see any issues there. They'll be in the round of 32. Likely they'll go to the round of 16. Then the big boys show up, and we'll find out what's happening.

Bruce Arena

MLS growth

After this World Cup, there are going to be players from all over the world that want to play in MLS. This is going to be a league where the top players in the world want to be here.

Bruce Arena

Player development

U.S. Soccer shouldn't be involved in college soccer. If you want to be a professional soccer player, be a professional soccer player. Don't go to college.

Bruce Arena

USMNT coaching

Most successful countries in the world in our sport, the national team coach is a citizen of that country. I think there's a lot of advantages to being a domestic coach.

Bruce Arena

MLS roster rules

I don't think we should be a league that's totally dominated by international players.

Bruce Arena

College sports/NIL

I don't like [the current state of college athletics]. It's pay me, play me, and if you don't play me, I'm leaving. And I think that's crazy. When you hear all of this stuff today, you don't hear anything about education.

Bruce Arena

USMNT history

It was ridiculous that that [handball] call wasn't made [against Germany in 2002]. It was so clear and obvious that you would think that a referee or the linesman could be aware of that handball.

Bruce Arena

USMNT player quality

I'd like to have Pulisic and McKinney. If you can get them for me, I would appreciate that.

Bruce Arena

Player scouting

I think [Nikos Kyrus] has a little bit of Carlos Gil in him... and he also reminds me a little bit of Marco Etcheverry. He's a player with a lot of potential.

Bruce Arena