When the LA Galaxy square off against Seattle Sounders on Sunday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN, MLS LIVE in Canada), it will be the first time Galaxy coach Bruce Arena will be matching wits with a Sounders boss other than his longtime rival, Sigi Schmid. Schmid and Seattle agreed to mutually part ways’ Tuesday.
Speaking after practice Thursday, Arena voiced support for Schmid, who had been the only head coach the Sounders had since joining MLS for the 2009 season. The two men are not only two of the most accomplished coaches in MLS history, with seven MLS Cups, six Supporters’ Shields and six U.S. Open Cups between them, but they are also good friends.
“I personally think after all the success he’s had there and what he’s brought to that club, I would have loved to, obviously, have seen him stay. I would have thought that he earned that,” Arena said.
“[Seattle] need to do what they think is right for their club,'' he continued. "I know the ownership group there, the management group. They’re good people. So I think they just felt it was in their best interest. I don’t have to agree with that, but that’s the way it came down.”
Galaxy midfielder Jeff Larentowicz echoed his coach’s sentiments, but feels that while it's “goodbye for the Sounders,” it’s only “so long for now,” to MLS for Schmid.
“He’s been around for a really long time and has had success his whole career,” Larentowicz said of Schmid. “It’s a shame to see a guy like that leave the league, but I’m sure he will be back pretty soon.”
While Seattle will have a new leader at the helm in interim head coach Brian Schmetzer, there could also be a new midfield general in Nicolas Lodeiro.
The Uruguayan international joined Wednesday on a Designated Player contract following weeks of speculation, but despite the playmaker’s vast experience, which also includes two World Cups and a stint with Dutch legends Ajax, the Galaxy weren't going to back down due to Lodeiro's prior accomplishments.
“[It’s] fine” was Arena’s brief response when asked about Lodeiro, while Larentowicz wasn't particularly familiar with the Uruguayan's body of work.
