LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena will not attend the club’s U.S. Open Cup match on Wednesday against the Carolina RailHawks, but he asserts that it is no insult to the competition or the second division RailHawks.
In an interview with MLSsoccer.com’s Scott French during LA’s short-sided session at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday, he explained his decision.
“I think we're allowing those coaches to get an opportunity to work with that group, whom they're going to work with a lot during the year,” Arena told MLSsoccer.com following Wednesday's short-squad training session at the Home Depot Center. “It gives them a little more identity as a group, and I don't need to interfere.
"It's kind of the group we use for reserve games, and we're letting Curt and Pat organize the group, and I think it's a good experience for all of them.”
As for any idea that missing the match would be an insult, Arena said that was not his intention.
“Maybe, I don't know,” Arena said. “It's not meant to be an insult. I think it's all fair and appropriate, the way we're doing this.”
