Morning Training

Good morning from gorgeous Bradenton. The weather was impeccable this morning during training. Today was a lighter session and marked the two-week spot for pre-season. Coach told the players that this is the final week of the initial three-week cycle and will be the most intense so far. Then, training intensity will drop down a level and build through another three-week cycle so that our players are at optimum performance when the season starts. (March 29 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark-tickets selling fast-get your season tickets now [shameless ticket plug, I know].)

After a 12-minute and an 8-minute run, the guys were free to do different things, including some soccer tennis. It got intense. Ryan McMahen and Kurt Morsink took on Jack Jewsbury and Michael Harrington in the most intense series of the morning. Jewsbury and Harrington took the first two, then a bet was laid down. Again, Jewsbury and Harrington captured two in a row amid moments of intensity and controversy. Morsink and McMahen were at times unhappy with linesman Davy Arnaud. All the while, Technical Director Peter Vermes was there to keep both teams on their toes with some mind games and healthy trash talk.

Another group of players lined up, striking the ball at a sign on the net surrounding the grounds. Tyson Wahl and Jonathan Leathers appeared to be the most successful, each hitting the target several times in a row.

Rookies Chance Myers and Roger Espinoza played soccer tennis together, then played some 1 v1 in a round-robin format with Eloy Colombano (Perhaps the happiest player, all the time. Yomby William is the other in the running).

Yomby graciously answered some questions for OzCitySoccer today about his native Cameroon and their appearance today in the African Cup of Nations. When I asked Yomby about the game, his eyes lit up. He is very excited and hopeful that his countrymen will prevail. Yomby says he has played with many of the players on the squad. See the interview here.

Lunch time now. Back with more later.