Skip to main content
Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Bruce Arena blends intense demands with humor to lead US

FILE - In this July 7, 2017, file photo, United States soccer coach Bruce Arena waits for his players to take the field for practice in Nashville, Tenn. On Wednesday, July 26, 2017, Arena could become the first to coach three CONCACAF Gold Cup victories when the United States takes on Jamaica. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
FILE - In this July 7, 2017, file photo, United States soccer coach Bruce Arena waits for his players to take the field for practice in Nashville, Tenn. On Wednesday, July 26, 2017, Arena could become the first to coach three CONCACAF Gold Cup victories when the United States takes on Jamaica. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – Bruce Arena bites his fingernails religiously, a habit he has had since age 10.

Among some other unmentionables.

“Are you kidding me? I’m sure there’s plenty of those,” the U.S. coach acknowledged with a chuckle, “I don’t make that public information, though.”

Arena walks across midfield soaking in the California sun and surveying the scene as his players take a lap and begin stretches ahead of training on a practice field adjacent to Avaya Stadium, home of the San Jose Earthquakes.

He crosses his arms and paces – side to side, forward and backward – eyes up always. He shifts his hands to his hips and steals a glance downfield to where the goalkeepers are doing individual work.