FOXBOROUGH – San Jose head coach Bruce Arena showed no signs of mellowing in his 20th MLS season working the sideline on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
Arena, 73, was his animated and vocal self, barking instructions while pacing the visitor’s space during the New England Revolution’s scoreless draw with the Earthquakes.
A season best crowd of 31,078 filled the lower bowl at the Razor to witness Arena’s much anticipated return to New England. Arena, the winningest coach in MLS history with 276 combined regular season and playoff victories, coached the Revolution from May of 2019 to August of 2023.
Arena felt gratified that his presence generated additional ticket sales and enriched the coffers of the Kraft Group LLC enterprises.
“The fans were very supportive of me when I was here and I am very honored by that and I loved the players that were here,” said Arena. “The people in the city of Boston were great to me when I was here and that’s nice. It was nice to see some people the last couple of days and that was great.”
Arena amassed a record of 60-31-42 with the Revolution that included a Supporters’ Shield in 2021 with an MLS record 73 points. But Arena’s behavioral issues became problematic in the summer of 2023 and he exited the scene in disgrace under the dark clouds of a team suspension and an MLS investigation.
Arena later admitted to making “insensitive and inappropriate remarks” after an MLS investigation substantiated the allegations against him. Arena petitioned for reinstatement and was named the Earthquakes head coach and sporting director on Nov. 7, 2024.
“To be honest I haven’t spent a whole lot of time reflecting back on the New England Revolution,” said Arena. “I have moved forward and I always tell the players next play, next game. To me it’s the next club so I’m moving on.”
The Revolution (then, 2-8-2) were in a state of institutional turmoil when Arena was hired as head coach and sporting director on May 14, 2019, and he instantly revitalized the organization. Arena led the Revolution to the Eastern Conference final in 2020 and captured the Supporters’ Shield the following season.
Arena faced a similar tumultuous circumstance when he was hired by the Earthquakes. Arena inherited a team that was 6-25-3 in 2024 and had allowed an MLS record 78 goals.
“It’s similar but they are different environments,” said Arena. “Not that the Revolution were behind in a lot of things as well, but we are behind in facilities and that has to improve.
“It will take a little time and that was the case here with the Revolution. When I did it with the LA Galaxy it was different because they had everything in place to be good. Here and in San Jose the projects are a little bit more challenging.”
Arena began the rebuilding process by hiring his former Revs assistant Shalrie Joseph to the San Jose coaching staff while bringing in seven former Revolution players. They include Earl Edwards Jr., DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Nick Lima, Noel Buck, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Ian Harkes.
A warm reunion complete with hugs and handshakes took place at center field during warm ups. Kaye and Lima were in the San Jose Starting XI while Edwards started the second half in goal.
“The reason they are in San Jose is that I think they can help our roster and strengthen our roster,” said Arena. “They have played good roles to date and Edwards was in the goal, you saw him tonight.
“He gave us 30 minutes and Romney has started every game until tonight. He was one of the guys we had to rest. Mark-Anthony Kaye and Harkes have played a bunch and we just got DeJuan.
“Unfortunately, we lost Noel Buck to a (left leg) injury in the game against Colorado. The other is Nick Lima who I didn’t have but we got him as a free agent. They are all contributing and helping our roster and have been a positive contribution to our team.”
