Twenty-six players gathered in Bradenton, FL Thursday morning for the first day of pre-season training at IMG Academy. After flying in from various parts of the country in the morning, the team had lunch together in advance of the first training session. With near-perfect weather the players and coaching staff took the field for a number of possession-oriented drills.
"It feels great to be back at it," said Bryan Namoff of the first day. "We're excited to be starting pre-season after what felt like a long off-season. Our pre-season schedule is now and finalized and we know what preparation is ahead of us."
Head Coach Tom Soehn put the team through the paces and took part in the session as a player, rotating from no touch restrictions to one, two and three touch drills. Newcomers such as Gonzalo Martinez, Franco Niell, Marcelo Gallardo and Gonzalo Peralta continued to adjust to their new teammates, while goalkeeper Jose Carvallo and supplemental draft pick James Thorpe were put through a number of goalkeeping drills with Assitant Coach Mark Simpson.
"There have obviously been a lot of changes on the team and we're hoping they're for the better," said Namoff of the new faces wearing black and red. "This is a good time to regain the team chemistry and camaraderie that we had last year. We have a core group of guys who've had the same D.C. United mentality for the last few years and when you become a part of the team, you're accepted into a friendly environment. We're excited to get down to business and play some soccer."
On Friday, the team has its first set of "doubles," with both a morning and an afternoon training session. The team will have a couple of early tests when on Friday it faces the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team, followed by a second scrimmage on Saturday versus the U.S. U-23 Men's National Team.
Another heads to Bradenton
Following in the footsteps of D.C. United Academy teammate Shaquille Phillips, midfielder Julio Arjona has been invited to join the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team residency program in Bradenton, FL. The residency is made up of 40 of the best U-17 players in the nation.
"Julio is a player that exemplifies what we are looking for at D.C. United," Academy Staff Coach Judah Cooks, "His work ethic, focus and determination have set a standard at our Academy. We wish him the best of luck and know that he will represent our program well at the international level."
Arjona originally joined the D.C. United Academy in January of 2007, coming to the club from the Bethesda Roadrunners.
"We are pleased for both the young men who have been taken into the Residency program," said Academy Staff Coach Richie Burke. "Both have made enormous strides in their football since playing with D.C. United. I'm thrilled that their efforts and progress have been recognized by the national team staff and wish them all the best"
Arojna and Phillips may very well get to face United's first team on Friday when the U-17s are set to battle the Black-and-Red.
New staff roles
Amidst the many roster changes seen over the last few weeks, D.C. United's staff has also seen a few adjustments in recent weeks. Longtime team equipment manager Francisco Tobar was recently promoted to the role of the club's team administrator, making way for David Brauzer to take the lead in all things equipment related. Brauzer previously served as the assistant equipment manager, a role that has been taken by Jason Ritter, who joins the team after serving as an intern in 2006. The team has also hired Pete Calabrese as its strength and conditioning coach, after he had served in a part-time role last year.
