Daily training report
Dallas: Day 1
D.C. United pulled into the greater Dallas area on Tuesday for its third and final stop of the 2015 preseason before heading off to Costa Rica to begin CONCACAF Champions League play. Things got off to an interesting start, a bit of weather adversity to provide some solidarity with winter’s latest surge back East. After two charter buses made a three-hour trip from Austin to Dallas, it was off to work at FC Dallas’s practice facilities in Frisco, the Black-and-Red’s training base for the week. Vans pulled up to a dark, cold and windy late afternoon with approaching storms moving in. Within fifteen minutes rain was coming in sideways, and lightning in the background was the cue to make a mad dash to the vans. After the storm rolled on, so did practice.
On the Field Highlights of the Day
Two days after delivering a masterpiece goal to capture the now famed Armadillo trophy, Chris Rolfe starred in Tuesday’s training, too. On a through ball played over the back line, Rolfe broke through, settled it on his foot, brought it immediately to his chest. Before it could hit the ground, he got a quick touch on the ball to lift it over charging goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who at 6-foot-3 with arms until Oklahoma, isn’t the easiest person to chip. Blink and you would have missed it, but it was a thing of pure class.
Luis Silva, Jairo Arrieta and Davy Arnaud also got into the act. Silva returned healthy to full training and was back to his usual cheeky and crafty self. He got the ball at midfield, played a pass to Arrieta, who one touch backheeled it to Arnaud, who then one touch lobbed it between two defenders to Silva who never stopped his run and finished neatly in the bottom corner.
Off Field Highlights of the Day:
There is nothing quite like 40 grown men sprinting to 12-passenger and mini vans after lightning and cold, sideways rain.
Q&A with Sean Franklin
DCU: We are now on the third and final preseason trip before Costa Rica, what’s the mentality like now that we are in Dallas?
SF: It’s been a long preseason already and I think everyone is looking forward to this final stretch and preparation for our CONCACAF Champions League game. That’s our focus right now. We need to make sure we get this last good week in. This game against FC Dallas is important and we need to be ready to go come next week.
DCU: Not saying that previous preseason trips haven’t been intense, but do you think the intensity will increase with this one?
SF: I don’t see the coaching staff changing too much at this point. We need to make sure our bodies are ready for next week. But it’s always intense. It’s going to take a lot of focus. I’m sure Ben wants us to be sharp; I think that’s the focus this week. Making sure we are ready to go and we are on the same page. We know what kind of game it’s going to be next week.
DCU: From a player standpoint after three weeks of preseason how are you all feeling mentally and physically?
SF: Everyone’s been away from home and their families for a while and it’s been a tough preseason. It’s really this last week that is so important, more important than the first couple weeks of preseason. It’s fine tuning a few things and getting our heads right for Costa Rica.
DCU: You’ve been in big Champions League games before, what should everyone expect in Costa Rica?
SF: It’s going to be rough. The fans, the weather conditions, the field conditions, it’s going to be different than a MLS game; just as it is with all CONCACAF games. It’s going to be a tough environment and we are hoping to get out of there with a win.
Notes:
Luis Silva was back on the field today for the Black-and-Red and participated in the full training session. Until now, he has only participated in very minor passing drills and some fitness. P.S. – He looked good.
