Who was the MLS coach of the year in the 2009 season?

Bruce Arena was the MLS Coach of the Year for the 2009 season. He earned the honor while leading the Los Angeles Galaxy, guiding the club to a 12-6-12 regular-season record and first place in the Western Conference.

The award recognized a major turnaround. The Galaxy had missed the playoffs in 2008, but Arena helped restore structure and consistency during his first full season in charge. Los Angeles returned to the postseason for the first time since 2005, making Arena’s achievement especially notable.

This was Arena’s second MLS Coach of the Year award. His first came in 1997 with D.C. United, when he led the club to the league’s best record and its second consecutive MLS Cup. He later won the award again in 2011 with the Galaxy and in 2021 with the New England Revolution.

A common mix-up is confusing the 2009 winner with Sigi Schmid, who won in 2008 with the Columbus Crew. Arena’s 2009 award was based on voting by MLS players, general managers, coaches, and media members.