Stick with what works for you. That's been Bruce Arena's formula in MLS.
And on Monday, the LA Galaxy coach continued his trend of acquiring guys who went to war for him during his days as US national team boss. Arena's acquisition of Pablo Mastroeni from Colorado makes the two-time World Cup veteran the eighth member of Arena's 2002 and '06 World Cup squads to be reunited with the former USMNT boss as players.
Although Arena "inherited" Landon Donovan when he became Galaxy coach in 2008, he has sought out the other seven players, including Clint Mathis, who he brought to both the New York Red Bulls and Galaxy in his tenures with each club.
READ: Donovan admits missing USMNT, looks to focus on Galaxy form before recall
To this point, three of the World Cup veterans acquired or inherited, Donovan, Gregg Berhalter and Frankie Hejduk, won MLS Cups with Arena's teams. Could Mastroeni become the fourth?
<strong>Player</strong> |
<b>Date</b> |
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>How acquired</strong> |
Claudio Reyna |
January 2007 |
New York Red Bulls |
Signed as Designated Player |
Clint Mathis |
March 2007 |
New York Red Bulls |
Traded from Colorado Rapids |
January 2010 |
LA Galaxy |
Traded from Real Salt Lake during SuperDraft |
|
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> |
August 2008 |
LA Galaxy |
Was already with Galaxy when Arena became coach |
Eddie Lewis |
August 2008 |
LA Galaxy |
Joined MLS from Derby County |
Tony Sanneh |
February 2009 |
LA Galaxy |
Signed as free agent |
Gregg Berhalter |
April 2009 |
LA Galaxy |
Joined MLS from 1860 Munich |
Frankie Hejduk |
December 2010 |
LA Galaxy |
Trade with Sporting Kansas City following selection in Re-Entry Draft |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/pablo-mastroeni">Pablo Mastroeni</a> |
June 2013 |
LA Galaxy |
Trade with Colorado Rapids |
