With the exception of rookies who are just excited to be in the professional game and for whom everything is brand new, professional soccer players generally hate preseason. There is a lot of running and stretching and running and conditioning and, well, running. Even the games that are played are largely meaningless, as coaches juggle their squads to give everyone playing time, without the pressure of having to win points.
At the opposite end of the scale to the newest members of MLS, veteran New England Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston could probably be forgiven for having more antipathy than most to the season that precedes the season. However, although the MLS original admits that, with each passing year, things do get a little harder, his desire to play remains as strong as ever.
"It's getting more physical now that I am getting older," said Ralston. "Mentally, I want to be here and I am excited about it. The body doesn't recover like it used to but I feel good. I feel 100 percent and ready to go."
The ironman of MLS - Ralston is the leader in regular season games played (311), games started (309) and minutes played (27,548) - is currently "enjoying" his 12th preseason as a professional and remains as important to the Revolution as ever, according to New England boss Steve Nicol, who pays little attention to his advancing years.
"(Ralston) is more than a good pro, he is a fantastic player and any coach in this league would have him on their team," Nicol said. "I think that is the best thing you can say about him. We don't look at age. It is what you are producing at the time and what he is producing is what we like."
Ralston and the Revolution are back in New England this week following a week-long camp in Bermuda. While on the island, the Revs won friendly games against a national select team and the Los Angeles Galaxy. They also took the chance to work on team chemistry, which is something the Revs appear to have in abundance once again.
"It was great," said Ralston. "We got some good running in and played two games, which we won. A big part of it is the guys being together and bonding with each other, especially with so many new guys. On the field and off the field they have been a good group. They want to learn and they work hard."
The Revolution took the chance to give youngsters such as Wells Thompson, Arsene Oka, Chris Loftus and Amaechi Igwe their first minutes in uniform and the signs were positive that the squad's youthful depth will help to absorb the loss of key personnel such as Clint Dempsey and Jose Cancela.
In both games in Bermuda, Nicol split his squad to mix youth and experience, knowing that while the new kids on the block would push the veterans hard for playing time, the older players would set the correct example to their younger peers.
"When you bring in so many young guys, it is important that they are shown the ropes in the right way," said Nicol. "(It is) not only Rally but we have six, seven, eight others who are doing the same thing."
Following MLS Cup in November, the New England dressing room was, understandably, a somber place. After Taylor Twellman had put them ahead in extra time, the Revs believed they were on their way to the club's first championship, only for Houston to bounce back and inflict defeat on them in the cruelest of fashions.
Making eye contact with players was difficult, as the men in blue sat staring into space, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Ralston, however, was one that was looking around. The likeable St. Louis native's eyes were full of emotion and, as he sat there, there was a sense that maybe he felt his last opportunity to win it all might have slipped him by.
Three months later, Ralston is back and remains determined to help his side get to the Promised Land.
"We play to win championships and, unfortunately, we haven't gotten one yet. We have been so close. Last year, for however many seconds it was, I felt like a champion and to have it taken away like that was heartbreaking. It's still in the back of everyone's mind I'm sure."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
