This date in MLS history, July 18

July 18, 1:14 PMMLS ExaminerCharlie Corr

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Most recent 'MLS history' bits

• July 17: Preki's MVP effort in '99 All-Star Game
• July 14: First All-Star Game in '96 draws 78,416 fans
• July 13: Beckham officially introduced by L.A. in '07 
• July 12: Amateur team tops Chivas in '06 Open Cup

In 2006, Bruce Arena was officially named the head coach of the New York Red Bulls. This happened shortly after the Brooklyn native's contract for the U.S. Men's National Team was not renewed.

When he was dismissed four days earlier, Arena released a simple statement indicating he would "take some time off to weigh my future opportunities." He was definitely tired of the situation, constantly reminded/criticized about the team's abrupt departure in the 2006 World Cup. And he expressed interest in taking time away from everything. But the Red Bulls situation panned out pretty quickly, and he jumped on board.

Arena didn't coach his first Red Bulls game until Aug. 12 of that year, a friendly against FC Barcelona. Mo Johnston was fired in late June after posting a 2-3-7 record. And Richie Williams stepped in on an interim basis for eight games, leading New York to a 3-3-2 mark.

From then on out, Arena's New York tenure was a mediocre .500 record: a 4-5-3 record in 2006 and a 12-11-7 mark in 2007.

Definitely not what the Red Bulls were looking for from a coach whose previous Major League Soccer stint was a 24-win season for D.C. United in 1998 to go along with D.C. United's two championships ('96, '97), three appearances in the finals ('96 to '98), a U.S. Open Cup title ('96) and a CONCACAF Champions Cup title ('98).

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Charlie Corr is a freelance sports writer based in Chicago. In addition to his Major League Soccer duties, he is the Chicago Sports Examiner and the creator of a Chicago-based soccer Web site, SlideTackles.net.

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