On Wednesday, Bruce Arena and Dave Sarachan will return to Dignity Health Sports Park, but this time they will be on the sidelines coaching against their former team, the LA Galaxy. The duo previously enjoyed a successful run as head coaches together when they led the Galaxy to 18 playoff victories over eight seasons. However, the stakes are quite different now as they lead the San José Earthquakes, a team that has endured a winless streak of 15 games, setting a new franchise record for futility.
Arena, who has fond memories of his time with the Galaxy, expressed enthusiasm about returning, but he knows the challenge ahead is significant. The Galaxy, currently struggling with a record of 0-11-4, have shown signs of resilience, holding leads in their last three matches only to falter late. Arena remarked on the surprising nature of the Galaxy’s winless streak, acknowledging that they are a better team than their record suggests.
Sarachan echoed this sentiment, noting the dual nature of their current situation. “There’s a certain fragility to it,” he said, emphasizing the need for their team to remain vigilant, aware that the Galaxy is eager to break free from their current struggles.
The coaching pair, considered one of the most successful in U.S. Soccer history, previously led the national team to noteworthy accomplishments, including the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals. After their time with the Galaxy, they parted ways until reuniting this year to take charge of the Earthquakes, a team that faced significant challenges last season, recording both a tie for the most losses and the most goals conceded in MLS history.
Arena’s approach to reviving the Earthquakes mirrors his strategy from his time with the Galaxy: restructuring the roster. Since taking the helm, he has introduced 16 new players, including key contributors like defender Dave Romney and striker Cristian Arango, who has made a significant impact this season.
As they prepare for this remarkable showdown, both coaches maintain respect for their previous club, expressing hope for improvement in the Galaxy’s fortunes while wishing to secure their own success first. Arena believes that with continuous improvement, the Earthquakes can become a competitive force in the latter half of the season.
This match promises an intriguing narrative, fueled by nostalgia and the desire for success amid challenging circumstances. For Arena and Sarachan, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they look to forge a new path in San José while hoping for brighter days ahead for the Galaxy.