There aren’t many more experienced managers in Major League Soccer than Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley. The pair have both brought success to a number of different US cities as well as delivering with the USMNT. Tomorrow night, they will be reunited, as Toronto FC host the New England Revolution.
Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena Reuniting on the Touchlines
How Will the Revs Line Up in Toronto?
The major blow for the Revolution in recent weeks has been the loss of Dylan Borrero. Recently, the extent of the injury has been revealed with the Colombian international being placed on the season-ending injury list after damaging his ACL.
Elsewhere in the attacking third, there are question marks over the striking options. Arena held his cards close to his chest with his comments on the matter, saying the following: “All of our players that returned from injuries are making progress. Exactly how we’ll utilize them remains to be seen.” The Head Coach also went on to that Giacomo Vrioni trained day and is in line to play in Toronto.
Borrero will undergo surgery in the coming weeks to repair a torn ACL sustained in the first half against FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
Mucha fuerza, @BorreroDylan
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 4, 2023
Focussing now on Bob Bradley and TFC, who boast a clean bill of health, which is certainly a rarity in the modern game. CJ Sapong led the line against NYCFC in the last outing have just made the move over from Nashville SC. The striker from Virginia netted the only goal of the game and so has taken to life alongside Italian duo Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi very well indeed.
Read More: ‘Scrappy’ and ‘Physical’ Affair Ends Honours Even for the New England Revolution
Bruce Arena vs Bob Bradley
Since Bob Bradley took over in Toronto, these two teams have faced off twice. Both games ended in draws, the clash at Gillette Stadium being goalless in fact. Meanwhile, it was quite the thriller at BMO Field. Bernardeschi scored as did his fellow countryman Domenico Criscito for Toronto whilst Tommy McNamara and Justin Rennicks scored either side of the break for the visitors.
When discussing the relationship between the two, Arena laid down the law when it comes to professionalism. “Obviously, there’s a long relationship there and I have the greatest respect for him and love his family, so you know, all of that, but we’re professionals. When the ball is dropped, we’re ready to go.”
Two of the all-time MLS coaching greats – New England’s Bruce Arena and Toronto FC’s Bob Bradley – square off for the seventh time in their @MLS careers, including the postseason, on Matchday 11. pic.twitter.com/kTCbSKbmAM
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 4, 2023
Arena isn’t the only person in New England familiar with Bob Bradley. Latif Blessing worked under the American during his time at LAFC, winning an MLS Cup and two Supporters’ Shields. “I think we got to go strong in mentality. We have to be compact, and we work hard because I think they have good players individual, do I think we have to play our best game because if we don’t play our best game, I think we’re going to lose this game.”
There is clearly a lot of respect between the two managers but once they cross the white line, it’ll be business as usual. Both sides offer a lot going forward and so it could go either way when the Revs go north of the border.
Featured image credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports: taken Aug 3, 2019.
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