Real Salt Lake Preseason Update
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Training Camp #1, Day 4 – Phoenix, AZ
Real Salt Lake Training Schedule – All times MST (same in Utah & Arizona)
* All training sessions open to the public unless otherwise noted
* All sessions to take place at Reach 11 Sports Complex (2425 East Deer Valley Road in Phoenix) – Fields 2 & 3
Saturday, Feb. 4
10:00 a.m. training with full team
4:30 p.m. training – split squad
Sunday, Feb. 5
12:00 p.m. – Claret-and-Cobalt intra-squad scrimmage
Monday, Feb. 6
Off Day
Ready to Play … Almost
RSL’s assembled preseason roster will get its first chance at game action on Sunday courtesy of the squad’s annual “Claret-and-Cobalt” intra-squad scrimmage, set for a noon kickoff at the Reach 11 Sports Complex (Field 3). Head Coach Jason Kreis will divvy up the sides after Saturday’s afternoon training session, and fans can get a sneak peek at Sunday’s rosters by checking into RSL’s Facebook home and official Twitter feed on Saturday evening.
Real Salt Lake has escaped the injury bug thus far, with no players suffering any injuries that have forced them from the field across the first four days. The veteran quartet of Kyle Beckerman, Nat Borchers, Will Johnson and Alvaro Saborio have continued rehabbing from various injuries and surgeries under the watch of the RSL training staff, while Javier Morales has joined the group on the sidelines off and on this week courtesy of some planned days of rest.
Getting a Little (Less) Hairy
Sebastian Velasquez turned plenty of heads upon arriving in Utah last week without even stepping onto the field, as the Spartanburg Methodist CC product reported to camp sporting a unique hairstyle featuring two tones and a flowing tail that would make 80’s skate punks jealous.
But rookies can only stand out for so long, and apparently Jamison Olave and Javier Morales decided to play the role of team barbers on Wednesday, giving the youngster a little “sportier” look courtesy of their clippers. While Velasquez’s new hair-do was not exactly by choice – and turned to be far from symmetrical thanks to some over-zealousness in a couple of spots by his fellow Colombian Olave – the vets did allow the tail to stay. The youngster took it all in stride, but also vowed to grow it back just the same. More than anything, the second round SuperDraft pick is hopeful he’ll get the chance to sport his full look once again this summer in front of the RSL faithful.
Meanwhile, another attacker, forward Cody Arnoux, also got a drastic makeover courtesy of some clippers. “The Fro” almost turned into “The Dome” between the Thursday afternoon and Friday morning sessions, with Arnoux’s cleaner look prompting some questions as to just who stole the #27 jersey.
Click here for the “Before and After” gallery for both Velasquez and Arnoux on RSL’s Facebook homepage.
RSL Training Camp Quick Hits
- To catch up on what the Claret-and-Cobalt went through late in the week, tune into ESPN 700 Sports’ “RSL Training Camp Minute” updates from Thursday and Friday.
- Click here for the latest photo gallery from RSL’s Phoenix training camp, including images from Wednesday’s and Thursday’s training sessions, and be on the lookout at RSL’s Facebook homepage for more images. Media outlets looking to obtain full-res images from RSL’s Arizona training camp can make their requests by emailing John Koluder at jkoluder@RealSaltLake.com.
- Phoenix weekend forecast: Saturday – Abundant sunshine, High 71F; Sunday – Abundant sunshine, High 72F, Winds E at 10 to 20 MPH.
- Sandy weekend forecast:Saturday – Sunshine to start then a few afternoon clouds, High around 40F; Sunday – Partly cloudy skies. High 41F.
