Bruce Arena Pushes Past Sigi Schmid In MLS Coach Of Year Race

When discussing the best coach in the history of Major League Soccer the conversation certainly includes Bruce Arena and Sigi Schmid. Today, Arena earned his 3rd Coach of Year award with Schmid being a solid second. All three voting categories had Arena as first, Schmid as second and Peter Vermes as third for the 2011 award.

Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy had the third best defense by Goals Against Average in MLS history, did not lose at home and had run of the league from First Kick through the season as they cruised to the Supporters Shield and were the first team to lock a playoff spot. The did that despite Schmid's Seattle Sounders applying pressure from the #2 spot. The Galaxy also were the second best road team.

With players regularly called up to national team camp, Arena dealt with some depth issues and squad rotation, and though his squad entered the season as favorites few could have guessed that he'd have one of the greatest seasons in MLS' short history. This is Arena's second win with the Galaxy, his other being with DC United. Schmid had previously won with the Galaxy and with the Columbus Crew.

Arena Trivia - He played one year with the Tacoma Tide in 1976.
Best MLS Coach Trivia - The other man in the best coach in MLS history conversation would be Bob Bradley, currently coaching Egypt's National Team.