Real Salt Lake's preseason training in Madrid kicked off without a hitch today as the team arrived in the Spanish capital, transferred to the hotel, ate lunch and soon headed out for a 6 p.m. training session at the 120-acre Real Madrid Sports City. New goalkeeper Nick Rimando, Panamanian forward Luis Tejada and French/Ivorian defender (on trial) Jean Martial Kipre all connected with the RSL squad and took part in their first workouts. The session was a quick, spirited session on field number 4 of the complex's 10 fields.
Real Madrid City opened to great fanfare approximately one year ago - and RSL is one of the first international first division clubs to be invited to train here. Located on the main road from the Barajas Airport to downtown Madrid, the pristine facility is the practice home for the "Galacticos" and the 2nd Division Real Madrid Castilla team. The 5,000-seat Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, home to Castilla, is one of the most eye-catching features of the complex. In addition, multiple youth teams occupy the lowest fields and locker rooms. Literally built into a sloping hill, the complex defines a player's status by how "high on the hill" his team trains. The youngest start at the bottom. Cappello's men occupy the uppermost field and locker room complex.
On Tuesday, the team will train at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., readying themselves for their first match on Thursday against Rayo Vallecano at 11:45 a.m. at the Spanish Soccer Federation campus know as Las Rozas.
