When Frank Yallop took over the reins of the Los Angeles Galaxy 11 games into the 2006 season, the first thing he addressed was the team's lack of fitness. Now with a full season in front of him the Galaxy manager is again focusing on his team's fitness to kick off 2007.
"Once we get these first two weeks out of the way, which is more of an injury prevention and a general fitness couple of weeks," said Yallop, "then we get into specifics and get them ready to play 90 minutes."
Don't be misled though. Yallop isn't having his squad simply running wind sprints and laps around the field. Known as a player's coach, and a former player himself, Yallop knows the importance of keeping things fresh and lively in training.
"We try to make it interesting for the players to hide some of the running and fitness we're doing," said Yallop. "I think (the team) is working hard and enjoying what they're doing. I think you get the best out of players when you do that."
One player a bit ahead of the curve is Landon Donovan. Donovan rejoined his club after being called into the U.S. national side that took on Denmark and Mexico recently. Having gotten a jump on training and two games under his belt already, Donovan is excited to get things going.
"I've played two games now so I'm going to be ahead of (the rest of the team). It takes time for them to get back," said Donovan. "It's a good feeling for me where I'm pretty much fully match-fit and not tired from the end of the year. This is the exciting time for us as players."
Another veteran on the Galaxy squad is Tyrone Marshall. At 32 years of age, the Jamaican defender has seen several preseason training camps in his MLS career. As one of the senior members of the Galaxy, Marshall is pleased with his overall fitness as well as the fitness of his teammates.
"(My fitness is) pretty good. If you look at it I'm an elder statesman," said Marshall. "I think I'm getting fitter every training. These are the days that help us progress."
While Marshall is pleased with his progress the only opinion that matters is Yallop's. With a series of scrimmages set up to close the second week of training Yallop has a chance to assess his team's progress. Getting a player 90 minutes match-fit is a difficult task, even at the professional level. So far he's been relatively pleased.
"It's pretty good. Any time you've had a lot of weeks off in a row it's never easy," said Yallop. "No matter how you look at it, soccer fitness is a different fitness than any other sport out there."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
