As we approach the 2011 MLS Cup, the coaches of both teams come to the forefront of this tactical chess match. Both Dominic Kinnear of Houston and Bruce Arena of Los Angeles have been as successful as any other coaches in MLS history.Jose De Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle writes of the managers who are attempting to become the first coach with three MLS championships in league history.
As he celebrated with players and coaches after winning the 2006 MLS Cup title, Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear's eyes filled with tears.
It was a strange sensation for a man more gruff than gentle, more prone to showing his players love with a biting joke than a hug.
Enjoying his first title as an MLS coach, Kinnear was overcome with bittersweet feelings. Still mourning the 2004 death of his mother, Mary, and the 2005 death of his father Hugh, he regretted not having them to share the moment.
Kinnear, 44, has come a long way since his parents died during his first two seasons as coach of the San Jose Earthquakes. On Nov. 20, he'll attempt to become the first coach in Major League Soccer to win three MLS Cup titles.
To do that, the Dynamo must beat the Los Angeles Galaxy to deny Bruce Arena his chance to become the league's first coach with three titles.
History will be made at Home Depot Center when Kinnear or Arena gets that third MLS title.
"There have been a lot of coaches that have had great success in the league's brief history," Arena said. "We're not talking about the Vince Lombardis and that kind of thing because we're still a league that's in its infancy. But in the short history of this league, certainly Dom is one of the most successful."
When considering the greatest coaches in the league's 16-year history, no list is complete without or Kinnear.
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