CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - RSL had its first training session of the 2013 preseason on Monday night. It was a lighter affair, with the team doing some focused ball work before getting into a pair of fun games.
The first game was basically a possession drill, but instead of using their feet, the players would throw the ball to each other, scoring a point every time they were able to throw a pass and volley with their feet to a teammate. The second game was goofier, with the squad split into two teams for a small sided match. The only catch? Each player (excluding goalies) had a partner that they had to hold hands with throughout the entire match.
Monday's practice was the first as a pro for RSL rookies John Stertzer and Devon Sandoval, both of whom were taken in Thursday's SuperDraft. Though it was a lighter session, it was still a big deal for Stertzer, who had been anxious to step on the field with his new teammates.
"It was definitely a big deal for me with it being my first training," Stertzer said. "The coaches are fun, and it was a good first session. Definitely felt good to get my feet back under me."
It should also be noted that several RSL-Arizona Academy players filled out the roster for the practice session. U-18's Andrew Brody (Committed to the University of Louisville), Ive Burnett (South Carolina), Coco Navarro (Marquette), Benji Lopez (Undecided), Jon Zabasajja (Undecided), U-16 Sebastian Saucedo and former RSL-AZ Academy U-18 Jordan Allen (Virginia; Allen chose to return to his hometown of Rochester, N.Y. to finish his senior year of high school) all participated. Former San Jose and Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Weber also trained with the team.
Expect things to get a whole lot more serious on Tuesday, when the team will undergo fitness testing in the morning and have a more intense practice in the afternoon.
