SAN DIEGO -- U.S. Soccer was "on the verge of bankruptcy" in 1998, Bruce Arena said on Saturday, though he believes the sport has "grown tremendously" in the country since his first tenure as coach.
After leading the U.S. from 1998-2006, Arena was rehired in November to replace Jurgen Klinsmann, who was fired after five years in charge.
Arena said the U.S. Soccer Federation has undergone some important changes in the intervening 10-plus years since he last held the job.
"The federation has grown in leaps and bounds," Arena said Saturday on the eve of his first game since retaking the job, a friendly against Serbia (4 p.