Bruce Arena

Born: September 21, 1951 Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA Previous Clubs: University of Puget Sound; University of Virginia; United States U23; D.C. United; United States; Red Bull New York; Los Angeles Galaxy Honors: MLS Cup Champion: 1997; CONCACAF Champions Cup: 1998; Interamerican Cup Champion: 1998; U.S. Open Cup Champion: 1996 ; NCAA Champion: 1989, 1991-1994; ACC Tournament Champion: 1988, 1991-1994

The most high-profile American coach in the game, Arena has managed the U.S. national team and led the side in an impressive World Cup campaign in 2002, before returning to club management.

GettyImages

Bruce Arena: In charge at the Galaxy.

Building a reputation as the most successful coach in United States history, he is currently in charge of the L.A. Galaxy after being hired to replace Ruud Gullit as head coach and Alexi Lalas as general manager in August 2008.

As a player, Arena made his name as a goalkeeper for Nassau Community College and Cornell University. He earned his only national team cap in 1973 and also played for the national lacrosse team which won the 1974 World Lacrosse Championship, before turning pro.

After the National Lacrosse League folded in 1975, he moved to play for the expansion Tacoma Tides which played in the American Soccer League in 1976. He took his first steps into coaching the same year, with the team at University of Puget Sound.

A stint back in lacrosse followed with the University of Virginia, before he took over their soccer team in 1985 and helped develop the likes of Claudio Reyna, John Harkes and Tony Meola.

In 1996, Arena moved into the MLS with D.C. United. He combined the role with taking the U.S. U-23 national team to the 1996 Summer Olympics and led United to victory in the first MLS Cup, as well as the U.S. Open Cup championship.

More success led Arena to the 1997 MLS Coach of the Year and he continued to impress in the MLS, guiding United to the CONCACAF Champions' Cup title in 1998.

Spotted by the national team setup, he replaced Steve Sampson following the team's disastrous showing in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The U.S. improved vastly under Arena's leadership and the 2002 World Cup proved to be the high point. Heavy underdogs, they beat Portugal and Mexico on the way to the quarter-finals where Germany knocked them out, but the tournament was lauded as a success.

The side failed to reach the expectations in the 2006 event, but during his time as national team head coach, the U.S. rose in the FIFA world rankings from nineteenth to fourth. Arena's contract was not renewed in 2006 and he was eventually replaced by current coach Bob Bradley, although is still the most successful U.S. manager in history with a 71-30-29 record.

Moving to the New York Red Bulls, Arena lasted a year and a half before mutually parting company with the club, with two years left on his contract. A year later he picked up one of the most high profile jobs in the MLS, at the L.A. Galaxy, after Ruud Gullit's depature; although continues to have his detractors in the MLS.