Arena Admits Germany Game Was Mistake

March 24th, 2006 | by: Daryl |

Though I’m sure The Bruce let messrs Berhalter and Conrad know what he though of their second half displays, he has also admitted that taking on Germany with an understrength team was not a great idea.

Arena said:

“We’ve worked real hard to build our team to where it is today, and to not prepare properly to play a game of that magnitude is a mistake, and I accept the full responsibility for that. If I felt that it wasn’t the right time for us to play that game, I should have been a little bit strong in saying this is not the right time to play.”

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Seamus

I find it odd that he’s saying this now. I saw a quote in the LA Times along the lines of “Wait until we bring our A team.”

I don’t think this game is a problem at all. As stated, it seperated the men from the “bubble boys.”

In briefing my cowoker before the game, I told him that a 4-1 German win would be as good as a draw. Anything less than that score I would’ve been ecstatic about given the roster.

Arena’s comments before the game focused on talent evaluation. That’s is exactly what was taken out of the match. So who gives a shit if the come-lately US media misinterprets the result?

Results in June matter. Period.
Imp

I find it intriguing the the entire internatioanl press neglects to mention that US team was “depleted.” Maybe this is an attempt to explain it.

Not saying that explains the pain and misery Germany gleefully applied to us.

“could have been worse” isn’t good enough. What was Keller’s post game quote: “You can’t print what have to say….” yep that nails it
Rick

I think he was visibly upset during the game once it started to get out of hand, but I absolutely agree with your comments, Seamus.

I’m not really sure what he’s apologizing for, except that maybe in retrospect he was embarrassed by the scoreline (which, looking at our lineup, shouldn’t have been all that big a surprise).

In the end, I think it will work in our favor. Let European teams continue to underestimate us. They say they won’t, but do be surprised when they do.
Aaron

I like Keller’s comments better, too, check out the ussoccer.com website for his take. My favorite was, ‘maybe some people have taken all this ranking business a bit too seriously’.

Arena, though, should be given credit for being a straight talker. It makes you wonder how much say he has in his friendly schedule.