The skies were dark with thunder and lightning in the distance early this morning. The practice was scheduled for 9 am, but the team decided to wait out the clouds...We've not forgotten how fortunate we are to have our own facility, thinking back to the old days when the team had no place to wait out such weather. So, while some guys lounged around watching TV and adjusting to the earlier wake up calls, others worked out in the gym, some used the hot and cold tubs, and yet others used the time to sharpen up their ping pong game. The sun came out by 10:15 a.m., at which point the guys were more than ready to get on the field.
For the second consecutive day the team practiced on the Stadium Field, while the adidas Field is undergoing regular maintenance. One thing we noticed right away that was different from last week, was that there were four coaches out there, including John Ellinger. Another was the type of drills the team went through - as we're sure you've read by now, the staff is introducing the guys to possibility of playing with a 4-4-2 formation, which is different that they've played for most of the year.
We've got some uncertainty in the defense this week, at least with regard to the guys that have gotten the most minutes back there this year. Drew is with the U.S. team, and Adrian is with the Canadian team - so neither will be available. And, Duilio has not participated in full training this week after injuring his left ankle at around the 70th minute in the Chicago game. He played through it at the time, but it's been bothering him since.
On a positive, Dax was back out on the field this morning, working through drills with the full team after sitting out Wednesday's practice.
Ray Burse stayed with the team this week after coming in for the Chicago game. However, he had to leave practice early today after taking a knock on his sore left thumb (which he injured just prior to the NE game).
Drew worked with the keepers, making full use of having the stadium walls. In the drill shown above, he'd rip shots off the wall, allowing the keepers to work on quick reflexes by reacting to the direction the ball would take off the wall. Practice is at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, with the team flying out to New York in the early afternoon for Saturday night's game against the Red Bulls.
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5 comments:
I wasn't sold on Hyndman initially, but I am becoming a fan after reading and hearing his thoughts. He seems to know what he is doing.
************* QUESTION Re SCHELLUS: What languages does he speak?
************* INJURY UPDATES: Good to hear Dax "La Flecha Roja" is back to training, and that Duilio is doing some training after the knock in the last game. What about Wagenfuhr? Any progress?
I am pretty sure he speaks Portuguese....
i'm so glad we're going to have a formation that supports our tools
"What about Wagenfuhr? Any progress?"
I believe he is going to be checked out by the medical staff in the next two weeks and they will make a determination his future at that time.
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