they didn't know about this implied duty.
However, now with everyone in Day 6 of camp, the five rookies on the Red Bulls have not only learned quickly about that particular responsibility, but they also have taken in some vital lessons on the field in their development as soccer players.
"So far, it's been a learning process for me, just getting used to the style of play and the players," said midfielder Dane Richards, a Clemson University product. "I think each day, I've been learning a little bit more."
"Just playing with guys like Claudio Reyna, Dema Kovalenko and Markus Schopp, guys who have been around for a while, and to see them give me little tips on the field or a pat on the back, it goes a long way," said former American University standout midfielder Sal Caccavale. "It makes you feel confident and wanted on the team."
In speaking with each of the rookies, all of them independently noted that the higher speed of play was a facet that they had to get themselves acquainted to.
"You hear it time and time again but everything is faster here. It was like that going from high school to college and more so going up to the professional level," said goalkeeper Danny Cepero, who earned First-Team All Ivy honors at the University of Pennsylvania this past season.
"I believe we're still in the stage where we're getting to know each other better," said Sinisa Ubiparipovic, a former University of Akron midfielder. "There are also a few new players and we're just trying to get adjusted and contribute to the team."
Though each rookie has a relatively different style of play whether it's Richards, who uses his blazing speed down the wing or Ubiparipovic, who has served more as a central attacking midfielder, the competition is intense to secure a role on the team.
One player who, on paper, currently has a good opportunity to prove himself is former University of North Carolina - Greensboro forward Randi Patterson. Because the Red Bulls have only three healthy forwards in camp (Jozy Altidore, Jerrod Laventure and John Wolyniec), Patterson has been given a prime chance to show what he can do.
"My goal in general is to score goals. That's what I'm all about," Patterson said. "Hopefully, I have a chance to prove that I am a goal scorer and just help the team in any way possible."
Though they are unfazed by the pressure of intra-squad competition, each of the rookies admits that there was some initial awe when they first started training with the likes of Reyna, who just months before was on TV screens across the world playing in the World Cup.
"Seeing him on TV and then seeing him in person, it's sort of a shock," Patterson said. "One minute you see him on TV and then the next minute I see him in person passing me the ball. It's an honor."
With the team having daily lunches together, it gives the first year players a chance get to know the veterans as people. Cepero said that the older guys seem genuinely interested in finding out about their backgrounds and interests as well.
Despite the quick improvement in their games, the rookies know that they must prove every day that they belong.
"I think the most important thing is that every day you're out, you give 110 percent," Caccavale said. "You have to be consistent at this level. If you play well one day, you might catch the coach's eye, but the next day, you could play badly and you can't do that."
Other random musings:
