Since the U.S. team’s exit from the World Cup a week ago, Bruce Arena, the man who guided them to an unprecedented fourth place position in FIFA’s world rankings, has come under heavy criticism from just about everyone for the tactics the team deployed. Over three games, the U.S. earned a single point, scoring two goals, finishing last in their group, and 25th in tournament. Even so, Sunil Gulati, the U.S. Soccer Federation president, defended Arena, calling the criticism “extraordinarily unfair.” He said the buck really stops with the players, and “to challenge his experience, his ability, his know-how, his decision making is, just to me, not credible given his record over the last eight years with our team and his record in general.” Added Gulati: “The stuff coming from analysts is mind-boggling,” in particular Alexi Lalas and Eric Wynalda. Even if the U.S. Soccer Federation decides to keep Arena, it’s far from certain he’ll stay; Arena has openly admitted to having other offers. His contract, estimated at $600,000 a year, expires Dec. 31.