Real Salt Lake was back on the training field on Monday, as Head Coach Jeff Cassar put the team through two sessions to kick off the final phase of preseason in Tucson, Arizona.
After a tactical morning session that included some fitness work, the evening session brought competition into the session with a series of 6v6 matches on small fields after some position-specific work. While the forwards worked on finishing, the midfielders worked on movement and defenders focused their attention on ball movement.
It was another spirited session as the team builds toward the season opening match on March 7 against the Portland Timbers, but the team reached a new level of intensity as the regular season approaches.
“We got two really good sessions in. I like the guys focus and intensity. Everyone was really tuned in to what we wanted to do,” Cassar said. “Everyone’s realizing now it’s time to amp it up. There are certain things you are doing throughout preseason – you’re focusing on fitness, you’re introducing new things. This is the camp where you really want it all to come together. The guys recognize that and it’s time to amp it up.”
Nick Rimando and Luis Gil were full participants for the first time this preseason after spending the first month with the U.S. National Team’s January camp, adding to the quality that had already been prevalent during training camp.
“I think they add quality. Anytime you add to guys of their caliber, it raises the level of training,” Cassar said. “They are coming off a good stint with the national team and it’s about making sure we get them on the same page as the rest of the group as quickly as possible.”
RSL will hold one more training session on Tuesday before the first match of the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup on Wednesday. Each match in the tournament will be streamed live, with all of RSL’s matches featured on RealSaltLake.com.
