DAY ONE
RSL opened the 2007 campaign with 29 players suiting up at Rice-Eccles Stadium and making the quick jaunt over to the Eccles Fieldhouse for the first training sessions of the year. On Monday, athletic trainer Jake Joachim took the team through warmups before the team split into three groups to be tested in three areas:
1) Vertical leap
2) 40-yard dash
3) Illinois Agility test
After the team's rocky inaugural campaign, player fitness has been a hallmark of the club - contributing to several late-game heroics in 2006. Trialists and veterans alike went through the drills, with several performances catching the eye of observers:
1) Rookie Goalkeeper Chris Seitz posted one of the top times in the 40-yard dash. The 210-lb. keeper was truly imposing as he barreled through the course.
2) Newly acquired Kyle Brown (an all-State football player in high school) posted eye-popping scores in vertical leap, agility and 40-yard dash.
3) Willis Forko turned in the fastest dash, edging former St. Kitts' national team sprinter Atiba Harris by .01.
Following the tests, all players participated in a "beep test" designed to measure endurance. Most newcomers succumbed early in their first workout at Salt Lake's 4,300-foot altitude, but trialist Scot Palguta made a distinct impression on the coaches as he registered one of the day's top four performances. Joining Palguta in the top four were veterans Chris Klein, Joey Worthen and Mehdi Ballouchy.
DAY TWO
RSL took the field again with small-sided games on Tuesday. Atiba Harris and Jamie Watson each scored impressive goals from long range that drew the attention of teammates and onlookers. All three keepers, plus RSL front office/reserve Chad Sackett, were kept busy by an onslaught of offense.
Several dozen onlookers came out for day two, including RSL sponsors, The Bringhurst Group, and several electronic media writers. Once again, many eyes focused on Freddy Adu, especially those of his mother, Emelia, and youth coach Arnold Tarzy who are in town to help Freddy settle in to his new home. Adu, who conducted interviews with a dozen print and television reporters following his first training session on Monday, did not disappoint with an array of ball-handling moves and his infectious smile and laugh.
Newly acquired Luis Tejada is not with RSL as the Panamanian national team will compete next week for one of the final spots in this June's Gold Cup. Defender Danny Torres was delayed by visa processing in Costa Rica and is expected soon.
