Tuesday’s Column: The Arena philosophy rebuilds the Galaxy

i-10472e6277291d7a9ed5631ae3caef0c-arena1stday.jpgFirst day of school: Newcomer Dustin McCarty practices Monday under the watchful eye of Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena as the team hit the fields for the first time this preseason (Photo by Brad Graverson, staff photographer).

Coach Bruce Arena has capitalized fully on his years of experience in MLS and with the U.S. Men’s National Team to rebuild the Galaxy.

For more, read the column here.

He reminds me of Tony Waddington (how many of you get that reference?)

Another interesting thing about the Galaxy squad Arena has built is its large representation from UCLA (and from markedly different eras): Brian Perk, Michael Stephens, Chad Barrett, and Frankie Hejduk are all from UCLA (as was the just retired Eddie Lewis, of course).

“It’s never bad to have local kids,” Arena said. “It’s a real plus. We want to be the team every aspiring player growing up in Southern California wants to play for. It’s always good to see local kids having success with the Galaxy.”

Arena also deflected criticism away from David Beckham when I asked why it was better for him (apparently) – to be training in England with Tottenham Hotspur rather than with the Galaxy:

“I wanted to give him the opportunity to be in England in case there was any possibility of him being part of their national team in their next friendly,” he said. “It’s my decision – any criticism is on me, not David.”

Hmmm.

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