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2009 MLS Coach of the Year
December 8, 2009 | Halftime Report | Add a comment
Burce Arena, head coach of the LA Galaxy was awarded the 2009 Major League Soccer Coach of the Year after turning his club around and leading them to its first playoff berth since 2005 and a top seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket with a 12-6-12 record and 48 points.
One way Arena turned around his team was solidifying his defense. Arena drafted University of Maryland star defender Omar Gonzalez, who was also named the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year, and brought in U.S. national team veteran Gregg Berhalter to fill in the center of the defense.In addition to the defense, Arena also brought in a host of new players, meshed them together, and helped reconcile the differences between Landon Donovan, who was named the Honda Player of the Year and Decade, and David Beckham.
Not only is this Arena’s second MLS Coach of the Year honor, but he also ranks fourth all-time in MLS regular season wins and has compiled a regular season coaching record of 91-62-25. He holds the highest postseason winning percentage (.705) and is tied with Bob Bradley for second all-time in post season wins with 14.
