Bruce Arena aims for quick start to save US’ World Cup hopes
In his second stint at U.S. men’s national soccer team coach, Bruce Arena realizes he has very little time to get back into his groove.
The StubHub Center complex also is the home of the LA Galaxy, the MLS team for which Arena served as the coach and general manager for the past 81/2 seasons.
Arena replaced Jurgen Klinsmann in late November, accepting the task of salvaging the Americans’ World Cup qualification hopes.
Sporting Kansas City’s Benny Feilhaber, FC Dallas’ Matt Hedges, the Galaxy’s Sebastian Lletget and the Red Bulls’ Dax McCarty will get a look from Arena’s fresh eyes during the monthlong camp.
In European matches Wednesday, a perfectly struck free kick by Lionel Messi gave defending champion Barcelona a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. ...
In another League Cup semi, Thiago Silva scored twice as defending champion Paris Saint-Germain beat Metz 2-0.
Former coordinator Keith Patterson will remain on Todd Graham’s staff as linebackers coach.
Washington State quarterback Luke Falk said Wednesday he will return for his senior season.
Falk, a two-time All-Pac-12 selection, had flirted with declaring for the NFL draft after throwing for 4,468 yards last season in head coach Mike Leach’s “Air Raid” offense.