On Monday, Real Salt Lake officially began its full preseason training camp ahead of the 2021 Major League Soccer season. Following one week of voluntary training sessions, the team assembled back at The Zions Bank Training Center with Head Coach Freddy Juarez and his staff challenging the team to work both on and off of the ball on day one.
“Our guys came into preseason with a great base,” Juarez said after training. “There was a large group of our players who were here almost the entire offseason doing trainings and workouts. That put us in a place to start with the soccer portion of preseason a bit earlier. The way we’re looking to progress is fast-tracked in a way because now we can focus on tactical elements and begin to implement our style of play early in the year.”
RSL had nearly its whole team together for training with Douglas Martinez, Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad and David Ochoa the only absentees while away with their respective national teams.
On day one, the team utilized both training fields inside the indoor facility, splitting the team into two groups to work on similar tactical elements and fitness in different fashions before breaking into four teams to compete in a small-sided tournament to close the day.
“Right now, the team’s energy is high, and guys are already competing at a very high level,” Juarez said. “We’re all on the same page and we want to continue growing as a team and that’s huge for me. The focus and excitement for me has been on the positivity in the office and within the locker room. Ultimately we want to improve on last year and right now that’s all that’s on our minds.”
RSL will return to the training field on Tuesday and finish the week with its second intra-squad scrimmage on Saturday in Herriman.
