U.S. rolling toward Russia under Arena

Bruce Arena has managed the tricky task of establishing a sense of calm along with urgency within the U.S. soccer team. It’s quite a contrast to the frustration and futility at the end of Jurgen Klinsmann’s coaching reign in November.

Of course, climbing from last to third in the final round of World Cup qualifying has eased pressure immensely.

“We haven’t lost yet this year since Bruce has had the team,” U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said Monday, a day after a 1-1 draw with Mexico at Azteca Stadium. “So whatever has gotten us there, whatever occasion or bonding that’s led to a change, that’s a positive, and certainly Bruce has to receive a lot of credit.”

Now 65, Arena is a member of the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. He coached the national team from 1998 through 2006, leading the Americans to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals in their best result since the first tournament in 1930.

Klinsmann was fired after a 2-1 home loss to Mexico and a 4-0 fiasco at Costa Rica. The rebound in qualifying under the witty and sarcastic Arena began with a 6-0 home win over Honduras and a 1-1 tie at Panama. It continued with a 2-0 home victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday in Colorado and the draw against El Tri — just the third point the Americans have earned at Azteca.

Mexico leads the final round of the CONCACAF region with 14 points, followed by Costa Rica and the U.S. (eight each), Panama (six), Honduras (four) and Trinidad and Tobago (three). The top three advance to next year’s World Cup in Russia, and the fourth-place team faces Asia’s No. 5 nation in a playoff.

Panama hosts Honduras on Tuesday and Costa Rica is home against Trinidad and Tobago. When qualifying resumes, the U.S. plays Costa Rica on Sept. 1, most likely in Harrison, N.J., then is at Honduras four days later. The hexagonal concludes with matches Oct. 6 against Panama at Orlando and at Trinidad on Oct. 10.

Iran qualifies: Iran became the second team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup by beating visiting Uzbekistan 2-0 late Monday, sparking celebrations in the streets of Tehran. Brazil was the first team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.