February 4th, 2008, 10 AM and 3 PM, PHP #1
February 4th, 2008 .
By: Buzz Carrick
Twins Basil. Twins! - Austin Danger Powers
Ahhhhh, spring time in Dallas. 81 degrees with a light breeze, just fantastic training conditions. Outside in the warm February air, soccer on the wind, field looking good, team looking sharp. Man it doesn’t get any better.
Ok if they had scrimmaged that would have been better.
Still though…
Missing in Action
- Drew Moor is with the national team.
- The U20s are done, Josh Lambo went home to get his things and should be in Dallas ASAP.
- Alvarez, McCarty, and Wallace are with the U23s. All reports are Dax is having a spectacular camp.
- Duilio Davino has his visa appointment tomorrow, if approved he will be in Dallas in about a week.
- Chris Gbandi is in Dallas and FCD did pick up his option despite the fact I was told they wouldn’t. FCD has an offer for him from FK Haugesund of the Norwegian Second Division. Morrow talks about it lower on this page. I expect Gbandi to be gone.
- Ricardinho and Toja had their visa appointments already and are supposed to get them today/tomorrow and arrive late tomorrow.
- Roberto Mina is in contract negotiations. Morrow says they’ve had a great report on Mina and his workout/fitness. If he comes in fit and healthy that will be a big plus.
- Serioux played with Canada yesterday and arrived back today at the start of the second session but didn’t join in.
New, Notes, & Observations
- Brek Shea has a slight groin injury he picked up at the combine. He went to the U20s but they sent him back to recover and rehab with FCD. He’s allowed to do some things, but not others.
- Bobby Rhine hasn’t completed part of his physical so he was here but couldn’t train.
- Draft picks Eric Avila, Jamil Roberts, and Ben Nason were all here and trained but have not yet been given numbers.
- Word on the sideline is that FCD may be hosting next year’s MLS Combine. Good for me.
- FCD may still play Tigres down in Monterrey. If they do it will be before they head to Brazil.
- Here’s everyone that was here today (I don’t think I missed anyone): Thompson, Dello-Russo, Cooper, Saragosa, Sala, Burse, Wagner, Avila, Rhine, Shea, Nason, Ricchetti, Jones, Yi, Wileman, Pitchkolan, Oduro, Daniels, Wagenfuhr, Roberts, Irbahim, Alvial, and Toure.
Incoming Trialists
Two guest players/trialists re in camp already.
1. Javier Alvial, new coach Jorge Alvial’s kid. He’s going to be joining FCD Youth and has had a tryout for the new U17s. He’s not out of place today.
2. Doudou Toure from the Atlanta Fire United soccer club. He’s 16 and is an immense physical athletic looking player. This is NOT your typical 16 year old. I am very intrigued.
There are a bunch of trialists coming in later this week, several of whom we have seen before.
Sheldon Emmanuel - Is a fast and rangy left back that played against FCD in the T&T tournament. He’s big and athletic and really likes to get forward.
Conrad Smith – Is a fast forward who played against the FCD in the second T&T game. I believe he had a trial with FCD under Jeffries when he was right out of college.
Marvin Phillips – A T&T keeper who played against CAP in the T&T tournament.
Jamie Watson – we all know by now.
Gustavo Cabrera – Guatemala defender formerly of RSL. He played 4 games for them in 05 and none in 06 and bought out his own deal so he could go play somewhere else.
Sam Stockley – A brit defender recently of Wycombe Wanderers.
Kenneth Cristensen – a defender recently of West Texas A&M, their captain.
Chuck Kim – a American F/M formerly of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Had a trail with FCD in 2003.
Ryan Dempsey – he’s brothers with Fulham FC forward Clint Dempsey.
Jesus Ledesma - Mexican American midfielder/defender. Had a trail with FCD in 2003.
Catching up with Steve Morrow
Lots of media today, so it’s just a sampling of the questions asked. I put in there mostly the ones I asked and some others I thought had an interesting answers.
It’s a new season so I will remind you the Buzz Coach Translations are just a Bit and I don’t speak for the team or coach.
How’s the squad for the first week?
It’s not ideal in the first week of the preseason, I think I counted 11 guys missing this morning, roughly. We got six guys with the various national teams and the other guys are working through some visa issues. So it’s not ideal, but I’m not concerned with the guys with the national teams. I’ll give them a few extra days off, obviously they’ve been working hard in camp. This week is all about establishing a good fitness base, both aerobic fitness and strength and conditioning work. I expect everyone to be here by the end of this week and certainly by next Monday the 11th we’ll have the whole group together.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: Davino better get his ass up here quick.
What’s Cooper’s role this year?
Kenny is an important player for us, he’s a big player. Obviously we let Carlos go and Kenny’s got a great opportunity to step up and show us all what he can do. We believe in him and believe in the ability he’s got. I think if he puts his mind to it he can be one of the top goal scorers in this league.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: It’s time for Cooper to be Cooper.
How’s the spring schedule working out?
We’ve got one or two things to confirm, but I wanted a strong schedule in March. At the moment we’ve got LA lined up, hopefully two games against CAP, and another game against a Brazilian team while we are down in Brazil. Four very competitive games in the month of March was exactly what I was looking for. We’ll use the month of February to get a little bit of match practice against some lesser competition. We’ll take a look at some of the young kids as well.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: Screw basketball, March is all about FCD.
Are you looking for a striker?
Yeah, I’m still looking at some options. There are two or three options still out there and as we go through the first few weeks of preason we’ll take a look closer at what we’ve already got. We’re trying to agree to a contract with Roberto Mina to get him back in as well and asses him. But I’m very happy with what we have now.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: Yes, but I like what I’ve got.
A pure goal soccer or a playmaker?
For those options that I’m looking at it’s more of a striker, more of a finisher and goal scorer. We’ve got a lot of creativity in the team and an attacking midfield player is not something we are looking to add right now. The positions we are looking to add right now are a striker if the right one become available and possibly some defensive cover.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: We don’t need no stinking #10.
Who of the young players is ready to step up?
I think some of the ones who stepped up last year like Dax McCarty and Blake Wagner, and even Andrew Daniels, people like that I think they are ready. They had a good year last year, and I would even put Anthony Wallace in that group as well, we’re looking for those guys to push on and probably get a little bit more playing time this year.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: Dax, Wagner, Daniels, and Wallace.
What can you tell us about André Rocha?
We’re close to getting a deal finalized, we’re hoping to get it done this week so we can get him up here as soon as possible. It’s something I’m very excited about, he’s a player I’ve admired for some time and the opportunity has come up this off season to make a deal happen with CAP. I think he’s going to be a tremendous addition to our roster. He’s got enough skill to play in the middle, either holding or attacking mid, but he can also play wide on the right either in midfield or defense.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: Rocha is the man, baby! I’m stoked!
Do you have to many holding mids?
That’s something we’ll figure out as we go through the preseason. It doesn’t hurt to have strength in depth. We’re going to need guys as we go through the season as we’re gonna have some players missing with the Olympics going on. We could lose 2, 3, maybe 4 players at one time for a long stretch, so I want to make sure we deep at every position on the field. That’s one place we’re particularly deep in, that’s very true, but all the guys in there can play other positions as well so we’ve got great versatility.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: My boys can play everywhere.
How do you keep offseason money demands from impacting your locker room?
We’re all in the same boat, I’d love to make a little bit more money as well. The fact is, apart from the guys that were out of contract… we didn’t win anything last year. Nobody in my eyes deserves to earn any more money until we start winning things. I want guys on the roster to earn new contracts, earn some more money, not just do that after walking in the door. Guys have to be here a long time to earn new contracts and earn more money. The message is very simple and very clear, if we start winning things and the team starts producing, then guys will get rewarded for their efforts. In this league more than anywhere else, you know guys given their talent, given their age, lots of different things, guys have got a certain level of salary within MLS and it’s up to use to evaluate their value.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: Win something and we’ll talk.
What’s Chris Gbandi’s status?
We’ve had a proposal from the team in Norway that he went to [FK Haugesund] so I think, hopefully by tomorrow, we’ll have sorted out something with them. It’s something that Chris wants, and it’s something that I want to happen for him cause it’s what he wants at this stage of his career. So we’re gonna work with him and work with the team in Norway and make that happen for him.
Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator: Gbandi’s off to the great white north.
Training Session One, 10 AM
A long intense run started the day, when the team went by me David Wagenfuhr was of course setting the pace. The kid’s a machine.
After the long run was some station training. Just for fun I’ll run down the stations. 1:00 per station per player.
1. Players stand back to back and pass a medicine ball at an angle, over one shoulder down to the hip.
2. Rubber fitness band under feet, press it over your head.
3. Side plank. Feet and one elbow on ground. Hold.
4. Push up on barbells, pull barbells one at a time to chest.
5. Medicine ball in hand, do lunges.
6. Medicine ball toss with partner.
7. Kneel, drop to push up and back up, keep upper body stiff.
8. Plank.
9. Rubber band curls.
10. Rubber band squats.
11. Leg press drill with partner.
12. On stomach, curl leg back over players back and touch ground on other side.
Training Session Two: 3 PM
The balls were going to come out for the session, so I stuck around. Went to lunch, then the mall. Unfortunately it was all small ball drills to get players touch and feel going again. Nothing that was possession or game like.
Boo.
Morrow broke the team up into 2 sets, but I don’t think there was much meaning in them. The two assistant coached ran them through some warm ups and simple drills. Brek Shea jogged on the side and Ibrahim wasn’t around. I forgot to ask where he went since he was here this morning.
Ferruzzi: Dello-Russo, Pitchkolan, Wagenfuhr, Daniels, Jones, Thompson, Roberts, Burse, Wagner, and Toure.
Alvial: Cooper, Wileman, Avila, Ricchetti, Alvial, Yi, Nason, Oduro, Sala, and Saragosa.
After that was the pass and move stuff, the kinds of drills you’ve done since you were 6. They finished with some soccer-volleyball, lighthearted and fun. Sala is quite good a the bike over the net.
Thought of the Day
Captain? It’s always a question for the spring. So who are the main candidates?
Davino has to be one, he’s new but has the experience and leadership.
Ricchetti would be an ideal possibility, except that he mouthed off about wanting more money thins winter.
Cooper could also be a great one, but he might be a touch too young. He also had the little money thing pop up.
Moor again would be really good, but since Davino is going to be leading the back line does Moor make sense?
Serioux again a good candidate. Hum, experienced… probable full time starter. Touch and determined. Dang that might not be a bad one.
Saragosa would be terrific and so would Rhine, but is either a lock starter? Probably not.
So who’s your choice?
Categories: Practice Observations .
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buzz,
how well do you know about the new invites to camp? who in your mind is someone you have high hopes for and would love to see during scrimmages? finally, from your keen, jedi soccer mind…what’s become of the international signings (other than rocha) that we’ve heard about this winter from morrow (euro guy, striker, another CAP rb)? what have you heard from the water cooler front?
I’ll vote Ricchetti Captain…he’s right about the money. Davino obviously has the cred, but he is new to this team.
And I’ll believe Mina’s in good shape when I see him. Well, ok, when you see him!
Sheldon Emmanuel is interesting, he might be good in MLS, has the raw tools. Smith is fast, which FCD could use, but I’m not sure he has the feet. I’d love to keep Watson if he will take a Developmental deal. The rest I either am not excited about or don’t know enough about.
They are looking at 3 possible strikers, I still expect one. One they did go after was the guy from Celtic that the Crew tried to get. He wanted to much money, Morrow scouted him over the break in Europe. The “German experienced” defender is still on the radar.
Can you give more detail on Dax’s time with the U23’s
not really, I just keep being told by soccer insider types that’s Dax has been playing very well.
When did Richetti mouth off about money? I’ve read everything you’ve written, and I don’t remember that.
What about Doudou Toure? Isn’t he a forward? he seems to be a scorer for his club. Another young talent for FCD?
DouDou played here in Atlanta and I think he is 18 going 19 this year. The rumor around here was that he was supposed to have trial with Empoli. Anyway, he played forward on his club team and tore it up. Also, he has a younger brother that is a junior in high school this year I believe.
Well done. Thank you!
David ist meine fuhrer! (literally, wagen=wagon fuhr=leader)
I’m excited about this Rocha deal also the fact that FCD is going after some good young talent like Toure and Avila. I know Dom was working on finishing over the off season any chance he could be a starter if we don’t get a replacement for Ruiz?
Captain vote goes to Pablo.
Chris, I think it was in the Dallas morning news. I’ll see if I can find the link.
Ed, Toure is a forward.
John, Morrow told me he was 16, I have no idea myself.
Chris, here’s the first time it surfaced. Down near the bottom.
http://www.dallasnews.com/shar...10407dnspofcdlede.3819ece.html
So typical FCD, all offseason to get visa’a and take physicals and yet we have half a squad ready to go. Off to a bad start Steve.
Buzz,
Thanks for doing what you do.
Not sure why asking for a raise off the field with the Personnel Director should affect Captain and leadership status on the field under the coach. My belief is that Richetti should be captain. The guy showed lots of guts last year and is a streetfighter.
Txgator asked elsewhere, and I have not seen an answer so I’ll ask you…
Who is responsible for player visas? Besides the obvious of the Dept. of Sate and ultimately the player. I was under the impression that MLS/FCD would have a hand in greasing the skids to ensure don’t fall with the masses. Players no in camp due to lack of a visa seems silly to me. Unless of course, the player is a recent signee. Toja not being in camp due to visa trouble?
Balonpie, Bobby Hammond on the FCD side, but I understand there is also a league office component. What goes on there is a mystery and FCD ain’t NY or LA if you know what I mean.
FCU, only cause a player that wants more money might not be happy and content.
Alright I’ll address the elephant in the room.
This is once in a lifetime chance to sign a player named Doudou.
The marketing possibilities are unlimited.
Chuck Kim played for the California Victory (RIP) in the USL First Division last season
Buzz, any idea on the rumor of Bob Malcom coming to the Hoops? some reports across the pond say the Hoops offered him a deal…
i may be in the minority, but the captain should be the player that everyone follows, respects, and listens too. clearly that wasnt Ruiz last year and it turned in to Pablo.
I dont really care if Davino is brand new. if the team follows him because of his presence or whatever, he should be captain. if they decide to follow Adrian or Moor, thats who should get the band.
and Im with Toffee on Doudou. can you imagine Wig Night, Machete night (plastic of course), and Doudou Day (plastic hopefully).
Glad to see Saragosa back! I like that guy.
Those trialist shirts are GHASTLY btw. Or do all the trialists have shoulder injuries?
yeah, i saw that bob malcolm rumor, also. he’s another D-mid to add to our stable of d-mids. but hey, it’s hard to turn down a young 27y/o irish nat’l who’s had experience playing in one of the top leagues (the EPL). i’m sure we can make room. i don’t think we’re in a position to turn away talent…are we?
Malcolm - Defender that can play D-mid, Scot, not Irish.
Maybe we our his best opportunity due to off field issues.
ahh…i stand corrected by e-z ed. if that’s the case (being a defender), i’d certainly welcome him w/ open arms. maybe coming here will give him the fresh outlook on life, reaching his potential. besides, there aren’t too many bars up in frisco is there?
I don’t know anything specific about Malcolm, but I think Morrow is looking at a couple of people.
Another new name on the blog..
Another defender - Ali Manouchehri
Thank you so much for the report! We were especially excited to hear that Dax is having a good camp with the U23’s. Our family did the Partner with a player bit last season and we chose Dax, so we’re always thrilled to hear some good news about him
[...] have shown up to training since the sessions on Monday. For a list of who is missing check Monday’s report. You can also check the list of incoming trialists there [...]
If we can’t have Kaka let’s get Doudou!