Costa Rica: Day 2
After a late arrival Monday night, D.C. United players and staff woke up to spectacular views Tuesday morning in San Jose, Costa Rica, including the hotel’s luxurious grounds and the tropical mountains in the background. Ahead of an evening training session, players explored the grounds, sat by the pool and watched soccer, taking in the UEFA Champions League in the afternoon and catching Montreal’s 2-2 draw with Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions League.
As soon as the players loaded onto the bus for their first session in Costa Rica, they left the relaxing atmosphere behind mentally and physically, and they were sharp and crisp on the field at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, where the turf isn’t awful. But it’s not amazing either, similar to Long Bridge Park in Arlington, Va., but with a bit more wear and tear. The building is compact, steep, and has plenty of potential to be loud and intimidating, with stands a mixture of concrete and individual seats. The team will have one more training session there Wedneday before the 2015 season finally arrives.
On Field Highlight of the Day:
Ben Olsen had work to do, upon arrival, at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. As soon as he stepped on the field in Costa Rica he started walking it off to see how long and wide the field actually was. What you read online is one thing, what you determine with your own two feet is another. This isn’t the first time he has stepped off the field. He did the same thing upon arriving in Jamaica for the team’s match-up against Waterhouse FC.
Off Field Highlight of the Day:
The highlight for everyone was waking up to 75 degree weather and enjoying the Costa Rican sun. End of story.
Q&A with Chris Pontius:
DCU: First full day in Costa Rica, how was it?
CP: It was nice. The hotel has been awesome for the guys and it was great to get out on the game field. It’s a different surface than we are use to playing on so it’s good to get acquainted with it.
DCU: How was the turf?
CP: It’s turf. It’s bouncy. It won’t play the prettiest soccer. But both teams have to deal with it and I think we can still manage the game well.
DCU: What was the main objective for today? Working out some kinks, getting touches on the ball, getting use to the field? All the above?
CP: I think a little bit all the above. It was a three hour flight yesterday so it’s good to get out on the field again. Mainly for me it’s just getting used to the surface. It's something different, and we haven’t played on it in preseason at all. It’s different than most turf is. It plays a lot bouncier than most turf so we have to get use to that.
DCU: We are now one day before the game. What’s on your mind for Wednesday?
CP: Just preparing now. You have to understand we are in a very good position so I think the guys understand how important this game is and how rare these opportunites come about. It’s about getting in the right mentality to go get a result on the road.
