IMHO Bruce Arena accomplished miracles taking our team to the quarterfinals and then outplaying Germany (at least according to Franz Beckenbauer) in 2002. We surprised teams then; nobody misunderestimates us now.
If anything the USA has overachieved in the World Cup. We don't have players good enough to play for teams challenging in the Champions League. McBride might be the MVP of Fulham, but it's still Fulham, not Chelsea or Arsenal or Man U or Liverpool.
I don't think that managing the USA is a very attractive position for a top-quality European coach. We couldn't afford to pay them anyway. Imagine Phil Jackson coaching the Spanish National team.
I don't believe anyone can assume that replacing Arena will result in a better hire.
I think Jurgen Klinsmann will be our next coach. He certainly won't want to continue commuting between California and Germany. If he leads the Germans to the Finals, his stock will be high enough that it would be a no-brainer for the US to offer him the job.
I agree - I don't think the head coach is the problem. But I mean that whether it's Arena or anyone else. I think it's something more fundamental. When you look at the skills of the Brasilians or the Italians, they're in a completely different league. It's a combination of skill and creativity that our best athletes aren't learning in US youth soccer. By the time a player gets to the national level, it's far too late. Another head coach with more experience or skill can make a difference, but it's not nearly the whole of the problem.