We are resurrecting the Postcards from Camp series with a post coming from Mr. Tony Beltran in Charleston.  Sounds like the team is working on their crosses, lifting weights, and passing the hours upon hours of downtime on the Wii.  Thanks to Tony for giving us some insight into what’s going on in preseason, and letting us know who has the real gamer skills in the group.  Enjoy!


We are now in the second half of our preseason camp here in South Carolina and the final stages of preparation before the 2010 season kicks off.  So far camp has been a productive and enjoyable one.  Arriving here late on the 5th of March, the coaching staff wasted no time in challenging us with an opponent. The next day we played the College of Charleston and notched our first win of preseason in a 2-1 victory. Although there were positives to take from the game, overall our play did not meet expectations.  Too many passes went astray and the team seemed to lack the technical sharpness that concluded our camp in Arizona.

In the sessions that followed, the coaching staff continued to place an emphasis on defending but began to place the team in more goal-oriented exercises. Shape and tactics are a large part of any team’s success and must be perfected, but there is nothing more desirable to an athlete than a competitive situation. Bringing the goals in and splitting the group up always brings the best out of the team.

Through a balance of games to goals and familiar drills that project how we are most successful in possession, the week culminated with a better performance in our loss to D.C. United.  The first 60-70 minutes of the game showed us as the better side. Unfortunately two late goals meant defeat but again it is important to highlight the progression we achieved in our overall play after the weeks training. No one in or involved with the team is happy or content with losing and Wednesday’s match vs. the Charleston Battery can’t come soon enough.

Life in a long preseason camp such as this one has the tendency to become somewhat monotonous. Our time is split between the field and the hotel room and back again each day. For this reason I’m glad that our group of players get along so well. The time where we get to relax and hang out most is usually in the evenings. This includes dinner with the lads and then your downtime of choice. I have to say, I don’t know what the team would eat if there wasn’t a Whole Foods within walking distance. It has become the official cafeteria of RSL!

Most of my downtime has been spent dominating various players of the team on the Wii – and, more specifically, all the old school games available for download.  Mr. Nat Borchers and myself are currently on a quest to beat Contra III on all levels of difficulty before the end of the trip. An admirable partner in our quest to save the world, but I have to say probably the worst Mario Kart player of all time. Ned Grabavoy is the official Mario and Donkey Kong master, with Robbie Russell being quite handy in Excitebike … most likely because he’s the only one old enough to play the game in his youth! Haha … just joking Rob! The roomie, Dave Horst, and I have also been going through a Clint Eastwood phase. We recently re-watched Unforgiven and The Eiger Sanction. Next up? The Outlaw Josey Wales.

In closure, I’d like to say I’m enjoying our return to South Carolina for preseason. The town is welcoming and friendly, and besides a few rainy days the weather is second only to California. I’m looking forward to finishing up camp with two positive performances this week. I know I speak for all the team when I say March 27th can’t come soon enough.