Disclaimer: Multiple references to sunshine and warm weather throughout this post. DMV residents, read at your own risk.
United arrived to Florida after a morning of travel and headed straight for the pitch. Can you blame them? After leaving the bitter cold front in D.C. behind, the sun and 60 degree weather was beckoning for some late afternoon training.
United's next match is on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, so today was all about stretching the legs, getting loose and sharpening some technical skills. Preseason is a long grind, and with the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League right around the corner, every day counts. Over the next week, United will continue to progress and prepare, training everyday and playing matches against Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Montreal. The Black-and-Red are racing a dwindling preseason calendar in order to be ready for the February 23 match in Mexico against Querétaro F.C.
However, at this point, the biggest challenge isn't just getting match fit, it's finding a spot to make the team. With draft picks, trialists and new signings all in camp, United's depth is growing at a rapid pace. There is competition at every position throughout the depth chart, which has only fueled all the players to compete their hardest each training session. Dykstra continues to command the net, DeLeon seems to be playing everywhere, Birnbaum has returned to camp in top form after USMNT stint, and Fabi is finding the back of the net (as usual).
All signs point to a strong start of what will be a long season. Depth is necessary in MLS and it looks like D.C. will have plenty of it. Saturday at Al Lang Stadium can't come soon enough!
