We just got back from part one of preseason in Bradenton FL. We were there for two weeks. Its been a good start so far for us. After two days in Chicago doing physicals and fitness testing we headed south to get out doors and train. There were alot of new faces to get to know both on the players side and staff side. I think we had something like 35-40 players in and out during this time period. On the staff side Chris Armas is now a coach and Mike Jeffries has also been added to the staff. Dennis Hamlett has taken over as head coach and Daryl is again our gk coach. I have to say the staff did a great job with the training sessions. Sometimes early in preseason you get coaches that just run you to death but we got all of our fitness work with the ball, so it was nice.
In the gk department we have two new faces. Dominic and Mel or Jr. as we call him. They are both good young gks with good attitudes. Dom is a giant at 6-6. Along with myself and Nick(3rd gk last year) we have a good group. It has been a great atmosphere during our gk sessions and we all get on well of the field as well. It is going to be healthy competition all season long. Whichever gks become the second and third they will both push me for the starting spot, so I have to be on my game. As for my personal training, I feel good. Each day I felt sharper and more confident. My handling is clean, now its time to see more game action in the next phase of preseason.
While we were down there we played 5 games. We started with the U-17 National Team and beat them 3-1. The next day we played South Florida University and beat them 2-1. After a few more days of training we played Columbus Crew and beat them 3-2. Next we played Kansas City and tied 1-1. We finished up with Toronto and tied 1-1. I played in 3 or the 5 games but only 30 minutes each time. Daryl wanted to see the others to get a feel for them. Which was fine for me because it gave me more time to train and work on my handling. I think we have gotten off to a very good start with the games. We played some good soccer at times especially with all the new faces we were looking at. The other nice thing is we have a great group of guys and we all get on off the field, which is very important for team chemistry.
We now have a few days off until we head to Mexico on Sunday for "the Blanco tour",haha.
Until next time.
buschy
Posted
Feb 21 2008, 04:58 AM
by
ChewieGK1