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Practice: Tuesday July 22, 2008

Jul 22

Posted by kirsoccer in Practice Updates | 1 Comment

TEAM TOGETHER


I managed to get out to practice today for the first time in a long while. It was noticeably different than practices I had attended in the past, particularly those in preseason or very early in the season. First, this group seems to have really bonded. An example of that is that as they started the jaunt above, Rimando gave Dema a hard time and asked him if there were going to be any slide tackles during the warmup. Second, they seemed really loose and casual. When they were playing a small goal scrimmage with Kreis on one side. He went to block a shot and slid to the ground and the ball made contact with his hand, and several players were yelling “handball”. Kreis had the biggest grin on his face that I’ve seen from him. I see this as a sign of the team coming together, the confidence that comes with holding down first place in the West and the fact that they don’t have another league game until Monday.

Here are a couple of other tidbits:

  • Fabian participated in practice. Seemed to move reasonably well.
  • Clint Mathis is still hanging around with the team.
  • Adam Acosta and two similar looking (possibly BYU players) named Mike were working with the team.
  • Findley was with the team (Sturgis and Seitz of course are with the Olympic squad).

PRACTICE PICS

Practice at Rice Eccles: May 2, 2008

May 2

Posted by kirsoccer in Chris Wingert, Fabian Espindola, Jamison Olave, Practice Updates | 1 Comment

Practices prior to game day are typically very brief, and interesting. Even though everyone is trying to conscientiously not overdo it, you can usually sense a special intensity in the air. Today was no exception. Here are some of my observations:

  • Injury report: Sturgis had low-impact workout – light running and stretching. Nimo did not participate at all. Espindola seemed to be at full speed. Mantilla didn’t participate in the last 20 minutes or so (not sure if this was injury related).
  • No signals about starting lineup, but here is what I gathered from an informal poll of media in attendance. Espindola likely to team up with Deuchar. Midfield most likely to remain the same as DC match (sorry Talley critics). Cordoba and Bomma will be waiting in the wings if Talley struggles early. Most likely Olave and Borchers in central defense, although its nearly a toss up with Mantilla if he is fully healthy. Wingert is a lock as one outside back, possibility of Beltran on the other side especially because his speed could come in handy to counteract Donovan.
  • There are 2 members of a Scottish newspaper (I think the Sun?) in town this week following Kenny Deuchar around. They were telling us that if he gets good service he can dominate a game inside the box.
  • At the end of practice, the team took shots from various spots on the field. They had the outside backs out wide, and they were practicing getting off crosses. Looks to me like we are planning on focusing on this in the upcoming match (to take advantage of Deuchar).
  • Goldenballs and Don Garber teamed up this afternoon for a media blitz at the site of the new stadium.

(click to enlarge)






Practice Update: April 24, 2008

Apr 24

Posted by kirsoccer in Jamison Olave, Practice Updates, Tony Beltran | No Comments

Not surprisingly, today’s practice was quite short due to the bad weather, and the teams impending departure to DC. Things were quite intense as usual.

  • The team was split into two groups. One group took shots on goal while the other was doing a possession/defensive pressure drill.
  • They finished with a full sided scrimmage.
  • The starting lineup of one side may give some indication to the coaching staff’s thoughts at this point for Saturday’s starting eleven.
  • This lineup included Rimando, Wingert, Borchers, Olave, Beltran, Talley, Beckerman, Kovalenko, Morales, Deuchar and Findley. Sturgis was not present and Espindola spent his time running. Everyone else participated fully.
  • Look for Cordoba to possibly get some action in the Open Cup match next Wednesday.

Practice Update: April 11, 2008

Apr 11

Posted by kirsoccer in DC United, Nick Rimando, Practice Updates | No Comments

My first day before game practice, here are my two words to describe it: Intense and Short.

Although it only lasted about an hour, here are my observations:

  • A drill with six aside, that emphasized tight passing and then taking an accurate shot at the end. Each team was in a small square and tried to make 6 one-touch passes in a row and then kick it into the small square at the other end in order to score a point. *Note: it seems like we have concentrated a lot on tight passing drills. Hopefully it will pay dividends this season.*

  • An 8v8, small field drill with players surrounding the field (sidelines and endlines). These players assisted whoever had the ball, and helped to keep this gam moving. This became a fast-paced game like you’d see in indoor soccer and had everyone focused on quick build-up, good finishing and maintaining form. Was quite intense. A couple of players were pretty vocal about their teammates on this one. I heard several comments that I won’t repeat here. This is the accountability that Lagerway talked about.
  • Finishing – everyone took turns receiving a pass from the coach and tried to finish. There were some pretty impressive shots. Olave, Cordoba, Bomma, Morales – all hit some high quality shots. However, there was a stretch when Rimando was in goal where nobody even put the shot on net. He said “Do I even need to be here?” Next thing you know, he was in the line with the players taking the kicks and he blasted one past Reynish and said “that’s how you do it”. It was a pretty funny moment at the end of practice.

  • Brennan Tennelle was running during practice and didn’t participate in the drills. Yura participated fully, but was icing down his left (I think) knee afterward.

  • There was a group of kids there watching practice, and when the players came out after practice they were swarming for autographs. You’ll see a couple of pictures of this.

  • The crowd of media was a little bigger for this than preseason practices. I assume that’s a function of it being nearly gameday, and that there was a chance to get a glimpse of DC>

  • DC came in for their practice and I snapped a couple of pics, but their practice was closed and I didn’t catch any of them afterward for pics.
Here are a few pics (click to enlarge):



Practice Update: Apr 9, 2008

Apr 9

Posted by kirsoccer in Chris Wingert, Practice Updates, Tony Beltran | 4 Comments

I made my first venture out to practice today since the season began. It was also my first chance to see Deuchar in person. Here are a few observations:

  • It was dang cold!
  • James Edward beat me to the punch here, but I would agree with him that if you can take any messages away from what happens in practice it seemed like Sturgis may be in line for his first action and start of the season. Although to be fair, I heard Sturgis mentioned that he “has no idea” what Kreis has in mind for the starting XI and that the team usually doesn’t start to address that until the practice on the day before the match.
  • The team spent alot of time in the 8v8 and 11v11 action concentrating on moving the ball, switching the ball and crossing the ball. Based on comments from the coaching staff, I took it that they wanted to focus on making good passes and putting the ball in good spots for the strikers.
    While that was going on, several forwards/midfielders who were not involved with that action spent time off to the side practicing their finishing skills.
  • My impression from what I saw and from talking to a couple of others at practice is that Cordoba is really coming along. The team still likes his ability, and his fitness is getting better. He still appears to be a little bit out of sync with what is going on at times, but he is fitting in much better with the team. He also appears to be less timid than the first time I saw him in practice.
  • Beltran will be a starter in this league, and probably sooner rather than later. Wingert is going to be pushed by this guy all season.

Here are a few pics (click to enlarge):





PRACTICE AT THE FIELDHOUSE MARCH 20, 2008

Mar 20

Posted by kirsoccer in Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Nick Rimando, Practice Updates | 2 Comments

After being at the last two practices outdoors, I can say that I like them much better than the indoor practices. The abundance of light outdoors makes the photography much easier/better. Here is a summary of today:

First half hour was fitness, stretching, etc. Next was a line of 3-man drills. They then broke up into two groups. One group took shots on the keeper from various spots. The other group did a drill that focused on spacing, moving the ball quickly, and making accurate passes. (BTW – of what I saw Cordoba seems to have real quality passing ability). They then did a short field scrimmage, and afterwords did more fitness activities. I left the 2 hour practice after 2 1/2 hours and they were just winding down.

Injury updates: Rimando and Kovalenko in full duty. Wingert training on his own still but looked to be going at full speed. Espindola sat out of the main drills, and was icing down his knee at the end.

Absentees: Oly guys of course, and Borchers. Rumor has it that Nat was closing on a house or condo. I think he was still filling out his NCAA basketball bracket.

Not much else that was noteworthy.








PRACTICE AT XANGO FIELD: MARCH 18, 2008

Mar 18

Posted by kirsoccer in Alex Nimo, Bill Manning, David Horst, Javier Morales, Practice Updates, Tino Nunez, Tony Beltran | 3 Comments

Practice today was a little more fun. Tuesday was mostly fitness. Today was just a full field scrimmage for 90 minutes. Here are a couple of noteworthies:

Same crew as Tuesday with the addition of Dema, and a keeper named Brandon who I believe is from BYU.

They worked more on offense, and spent some time practicing set pieces. For one team it was Andy and Cordoba taking the kicks. For the other team it was Morales and Alex Nimo. During the scrimmage, Horst had a sweet header for a goal.

I was impressed with: Beltran, Reiman, Nunez and Yura. (partly because they were on my side of the field)

Other news: it’s up-in-the-air questionable if Deuchar’s work permit will come through in time to get him here for opening day.

Also, Manning hiring came as a result of SCP using a professional executive search firm. This does not appear to be a case of cronyism.

A few pics below (more at http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg45/realslfan/RSL_practice_0318/)







PRACTICE AT RICE ECCLES: MARCH 17, 2008

Mar 17

Posted by kirsoccer in Javier Morales, Practice Updates, Robbie Findley, Tony Beltran | 1 Comment

A few brief observations from training at Rice Eccles:

Missing in Action: Deuchar (Scotland – work permit), Kovalenko (New York – citizenship), Findley/Seitz/Sturgis (Nashville – Olympic qualifying)

Surprise guest: Duke Hashimoto

Practice format: running, calisthenics, beep drills, 2-touch, team keepaway, scrimmage

Injury update:

  • Wingert – participated in half of the fitness portion of practice, and then ran the rest of the time. Looks quite mobile.
  • Rimando - participated through most of practice with Reynish, but sat out of the scrimmage.

Notable #1: Beltran blew the rest of the team away in the beep drill, which is an endurance test. He lasted long after most of the team had dropped out. Javi Morales was the only one who came close, but Beltran lasted a few rounds past him.

Notable #2: Scrimage seemed focused on making good passes and keeping form. Still somewhat defensive focus.

Notable #3: Olave does look like a monster. I can only imagine a centerback core of him and Horst.