Daily training report
Preseason reset: Day 5
After four days of fitness and getting accustomed to being back on the ball, focus has begun to turn toward the first preseason match of 2015. Just two days away, it will be the first of multiple showdowns this year with MLS expansion newcomers Orlando City SC. With an eye toward figuring out which players he’ll use where, Head Coach Ben Olsen watched the morning training session from a tower close to the field, moving and adjusting lineups during an intense 9 vs 9 scrimmage. How intense was it? The 1-0 winning scoreline came courtesy of a Fabián Espíndola penalty kick after Davy Arnaud was taken down in the box.
On Field Highlight of the Day: Olsen was the man of the hour, peering down on his team from a watch tower and constantly tinkering, with no telling exactly what he might use in a couple of days against the Lions. It was the first sign that players weren’t just doing drills for ball work, but working on formations and lineups that could be utilized during the season. The reigning MLS coach of the year was fully engaged, scribbling lineups on paper, moving players from one team to the other and yelling instructions. It was also a sign that the regular season isn’t far off.
Off Field Highlight of the Day: Since the team’s arrival in Bradenton, heralded Washington Post beat writer Steven Goff has checked in frequently from the District, always in search of the latest from camp. On Wednesday, Equipment Manager David Brazuer was the surprise voice greeting Goff’s call, and it wasn’t the first time he hasn’t exactly reached the communications staff member he intended – a few days ago goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra picked up the phone – and it probably won’t be the last.
Q&A with D.C. United rookie draft pick Dan Metzger:
DCU: We are five days in, how are you feeling so far in your first preseason?
DM: It’s been going pretty well. It has been different adjusting to the speed of the game, but a bunch of the veteran guys on the team have been helping me a long the way.
DCU:
Who are some of the players who have been pulling you aside and helping you out?
DM:
Davy [Arnaud],
[Chris] Rolfe
and
Taylor [Kemp]
, I have obviously known him for a while. So those guys have been helping me out on and off the field.
DCU: How do you feel so far physically?
DM: Pretty good so far. The lower body is hanging in there just as much as the next guy, but overall not too bad.
DCU: What’s the biggest difference between playing in preseason and the college game?
DM: Just the demand to do everything right. Everyone’s always expecting you to take the right touch and make the right pass. Just the demand over all, to be at your best all the time.
DCU: You talked about knowing Taylor Kemp, how has that helped in this transition?
DM: It’s great. It made it a lot easier coming in. Having him show me around and helping me meet the new guys really made it easier on me.
Current song on in the boat house:
One Day - Matishyahu
