Bruce Arena elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame

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L.A. Galaxy Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena, who built winning programs at the college, professional and international level, has been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Arena won five NCAA titles -- including four in row from 1991-94 -- at the University of Virginia before leaving to take over D.C. United in the fledgling MLS, where he won two titles. But he may have made his biggest mark as coach of the U.S. national team, guiding to the U.S. to its best World Cup performance in 72 years in 2002 when the Americans reached the quarterfinals. In eight years with the U.S. national team, Arena compiled a 71-30-29 record, a .658 winning percentage.

Arena, who guided the Galaxy to the MLS final last fall before losing to Real Salt Lake in a shootout, was elected to the soccer hall on the ‘builder’ ballot, reserved for non-players who have made a ‘major, sustained and positive impact’ on U.S. soccer for a minimum of 10 years. The selection committee, which supported Arena with 78% of the vote, well above the 50% needed for election, consists of selected soccer administrators already enshrined in the Hall.

‘Bruce Arena’s passion for the game, ability to build exceptionally competitive teams at the collegiate and the professional level and his outstanding work with the U.S. men’s national team are well-known and highly regarded by his colleagues and opponents,’ Hall of Fame President Jonathan Ullman said in a statement. ‘His tremendous record of service in soccer and success in the game has earned him election.’

-- Kevin Baxter