After a team hike to the top of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix on Wednesday, Real Salt Lake returned to the training pitch at Reach 11 Sports Complex on Thursday morning.
Head Coach Freddy Juarez together with the assistant coaches and the sports performance team, sent the team into a longer warm-up than normal, ensuring the previous day’s outdoor adventure was fully shaken from the player’s legs. From there, the team took part in a small possession-oriented drill before splitting into four teams for a small-sided competition tournament that was introduced last week when the team was back in Herriman.
The green team claimed victory over the gray, blue and orange teams on Thursday as six players celebrated with a team photo after the day was done.
For the team’s continued hard work, Juarez announced after training that the energy and mental toughness of the group had earned a cancelation of the day’s second training, allowing the group to rest and recover ahead of the weekend.
Thursday morning also marked the first time Giuseppe Rossi trained openly with the group as he featured on the blue team in the small-sided competition.
Just a Few More Reps
At the conclusion of Thursday’s training, youngsters David Ochoa, Milan Iloski and RSL’s first pick from the 2020 MLS SuperDraft Dayonn Harris stayed behind to get a few extra touches on the ball. With Assistant Coach Tyrone Marshall serving shots for a simple shooting drill, the two field players placed shots on goal for Ochoa to try and save.
Additionally, even after being told that the team had worked hard enough to earn the afternoon off, a multitude of players ran full-field sprints to get that extra bit of work in when it’s hardest to do so. Even Marshall hopped in on the fitness, working through a series of push-ups in an attempt to keep up with the players.
Up Next
RSL returns to the field for one training session on Friday at Reach 11. Two days remain in the team’s second leg of preseason in Phoenix before the team returns to Herriman to continue preparations for the 2020 season.
