Day 3 of training in Casa Grande, Arizona, saw another two sessions as Real Salt Lake gears up for the 2017 season. It was a day filled with high intensity competitions that continued to emphasize defending in the attacking third.
While the days have been rigorous, with already five training sessions in the books, the staff has used the sessions to teach the principles that will drive RSL in 2017 and put them to use in applicable drills. The extent to which the team has embraced the alterations has been a key to the transition for a solid mix of veterans and young players in camp.
“I think with the group that we have, they’re really enjoying how we want to play next year – especially on the defensive end,” Head Coach Jeff Cassar said. “It’s a lot of running, but we have the players that can do it. It’s a lot of work in tight spaces to win the ball and then go forward quickly and taking on a lot of aggressive mentalities, especially now in preseason. I think it’s going to lead to a lot of success for us.”
The makeup of the roster has been a big benefit for RSL thus far in the early-going. With nine of 11 starters returning, but a fresh mix of youth peppered in and 10 players from Real Monarchs, there is a good variance that drives the training sessions.
“It’s just a great mix of experience, youth, passion … and you’re really seeing it in the first couple days,” Cassar said.
RSL will hold a gym session Thursday morning before another field session in the evening.
