he just sounds a bit funny.
This afternoon we had a meeting with our union representatives and also with some referee officials. The meeting lasted about an hour. Since then Corey and myself have been hanging out watching a lot of TV. We have yet to decide where we will be going for dinner but based on the fact we don't have a car I'm sure it will be somewhere close, if not delivery.
-- John Michael
Sunday, March 25: John Michael checks in
First off the weather in Charleston has been excellent, not a cloud in the sky. We have been here for four days now and have been training and getting ready for the upcoming season. On Saturday we played Toronto, winning the match 2-0.
The mood in camp has been pretty intense, as we are all striving to get better as a team. From my own standpoint and from the rest of the rookies we are still adjusting to playing with such quality players.
The team as a whole has so many excellent players which makes it obvious as to why they were the eventual MLS Cup Champions last year.
Other than training and playing games, myself and roommate Corey Ashe have been taking it easy relaxing and watching some collegiate basketball. Corey, coming from North Carolina, was quite upset the other day as the Tar Heels exited the tourney a bit too early for his liking. Other than that the days here in Charleston have been great so far and I look forward to the rest to come.
-- John Michael
Sunday March 25: Q&A with John Michael
HoustonDynamo.com: What kind of experience has this been in your first professional camp?
John Michael Hayden: It's been a good learning experience coming in, being around professional soccer players. I'm getting used to that environment, the training atmosphere and whatnot. Coming from college, we had our preseasons as well but being in a professional atmosphere is a lot different. You are constantly being looked upon, while you're trying to earn a spot and the competitiveness of each and every player is high-end.
HoustonDynamo.com: Do the guys who have been around for a while look at you with a certain scrutiny that you might have expected?
JMH: Not at all. One of the things I heard coming in about the Dynamo organization is that they welcome you in. They are one of the best teams in the league about that, from what I heard. It's definately been that way so far. All the older guys, and the guys who have been around the organization for a while, they give you little pointers here and there during and after practice in a positive way. The locker room atmosphere is one of the best ones you could come into as a rookie.
HoustonDynamo.com: Has there been any particular player who has either taken you under his wing? Or, on the flipside, any friendly rookie hazing?
JMH: There's nobody who has given me much grief at all, though our team is full of guys who joke around. In terms of guys taking me under their wing, everyone in general has been great. I can't pick one in particular who hasn't said something to me about what I can do better, with some sort of pointer. No rookie initiations, though - just what every rookie goes through and it's the same in college. Rookies have to carry bags and balls and water bottles when you get off the bus, and it's the same here.
HoustonDynamo.com: You've been around big-time programs and you know what it is like to win at a high level. How does that prepare you for this year and trying to earn a role on the team?
JMH: Coming in from Indiana, we had back-to-back seasons where we won in 2003 and 2004. I know the Dynamo won last year and we're hoping to do the same here. In terms of preparing for this season, I know what players go through, at least from a college perspective in the past. This is a greaet environment to come into, being on the MLS Cup champions. You can't ask for more.
