MLS host Kaylyn Kyle apologizes for claiming ex-US manager Bruce Arena is ‘under investigation for racist comments’ – while insisting she had ‘no basis for saying what I said’ on Sirius XM radio show
- Kaylyn Kyle took to social media to clarify her comments about Bruce Arena
- She admitted she ‘spoke carelessly’ and ‘should have been more perceptive’
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MLS presenter Kaylyn Kyle has apologized for claiming Bruce Arena has been sent on leave from the New England Revolution for making racial slurs against someone at the club.
Kyle, a former soccer player from Canada, made the comment this week on Sirius XM’s “The Football Show,” but took to Twitter and Instagram late Tuesday to clarify her comment.
The 71-year-old Arena, who previously coached the United States, was sent on leave last week by the Revolution as Major League Soccer investigates allegations of “insensitive and inappropriate comments.”
It is not yet known what Arena allegedly said and he has not yet publicly commented on the investigation.
“On yesterday’s episode of The Football Show on Sirius XM, I made inappropriate and inaccurate comments about the basis for Bruce Arena’s MLS review,” Kyle said in her statement on social media.
Kaylyn Kyle has apologized for claiming Bruce Arena is under investigation for racist comments
Kyle is known for her work on Apple’s MLS coverage – here she is seen with Lionel Messi
Kyle made the claim on Sirius XM’s “The Football Show” before later taking to social media
The league’s investigation – of which I have no first-hand knowledge or information – relates to allegations that the coach made insensitive remarks. I had no basis for saying what I said on the show.
“I understand that words have an impact and I apologize for my actions. I spoke carelessly and should have been more careful with my words.’
Kyle, 34, is known as one of the leading faces of Apple’s coverage of Major League Soccer, which is one year into a 10-year, $2.5 billion contract to broadcast the league around the world.
She was at Inter Miami’s glitzy presentation to officially unveil Lionel Messi and posed for photos with Messi and David Beckham, one of Miami’s co-owners, at the event.
As a player, she played 101 games for Canada and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. She retired from playing in 2017.
Off the field, she is married to Harrison Heath, a former England footballer who spent most of his career in the United States and they have two children together.
Heath’s father, Adrian, is the coach of MLS team Minnesota United.
Arena, meanwhile, is one of the most successful coaches in MLS history – with stops at D.C. United, the New York Red Bulls, the LA Galaxy and New England.
Kyle – pictured with Inter Miami owners including David Beckham – has spearheaded Apple MLS coverage around the world
Bruce Arena has been sent on leave by New England Revolution during an MLS investigation
He became the first coach with 250 career wins to win five MLS Cups (currently with a record of 262-152-131), and was named MLS Coach of the Year four times. He also won the Supporters Shield four times.
Arena also coached the U.S. men’s national team during the 2002 World Cup and the 2006 World Cup.
In the first tournament in South Korea/Japan, Arena guided the US to the quarter-finals – their best result since the first-ever World Cup in 1930.
He was rehired midway through the 2018 World Cup qualifying cycle after Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked. However, he failed to lead the team to that tournament – notably losing a final qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago.
New England currently ranks second in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 12-4-7 record.