February 25th, 2009 . 5:16 pm . By: Buzz Carrick

Information Transit got the wrong man. I got the *right* man. The wrong one was delivered to me as the right man, I accepted him on good faith as the right man. Was I wrong? - Jack Lint

It’s been exactly 11 days since our last practice observation and it’s going to be even longer since the next one cause FCD leaves for Brazil this afternoon.  Today is a perfect day for training; beautiful sunshine, a light breeze, temps in the high 60s or low 70s around training time.  Just about as nice as it ever gets here.

All of a sudden it seems like the squad is very small.  FCD is missing some pieces with the U20s and a couple hurt players, include that with a 24 man roster and this is the smallest side we’ve seen in many a year.  FCD will have to go back to having some guest practice players of various caliber show up.  I count 16 field players (including 1 guest) with 3 keepers today.

News, Notes and Observations

- The guest player to make an even number today is Emerson Hyndman.  I know it’s amateur as hell to have a 12-13 year old train with the team but I’ve seen USL players fare worse.  Other than his size and FCD players refraining from hitting him, there is no noticeable drop off in talent from the bottom of the roster players to Emerson.

- Josh Lambo, Brek Shea, Anthony Wallace, and Peri Marosevic are all missing with the U20s.  You might want to get used to reading that line.

- Marcelo Saragosa took a blow to the knee in the Florida International game.  FCD is taking a wait and see attitude with him to see if it gets better.  First scan revealed a contusion on the location he had his meniscus op.  If the pain goes away, and they say it is improving, then it’s just a bruise and not damage that will need repair.  Saragosa will go to Brazil and if it goes wrong with the recovery he’ll come back.

- Sean Bucknor is gone, as we reported he would be, he’s having his exit physical today and a FCD announcement should be forthcoming after that.

- George John is out rehabbing on the side and has moved on to the cutting stage.  Should be ready to train next week as promised.

- Hyndman says of the four trialists coming to brazil “a couple” at #10s, they had been working on backup options in case Gaitain or Ferreira fell through.  The others are “second strikers or flank players” and are all Central or South American.  The four trialists are Alvaro Sanchez, Gaspar Paez, Rafael Abrao, Jonathan Artura.

- Incidentally FCD has three open international spots.

- Hyndman says one roster spot is still up for grabs in the 24.  Shall we guess it’s for a possible wide mid or striker?

- Apparently, in addition to Ricchetti being captain, there is a six player leadership committee that meets from time to time that will help set rules and manage the locker room.  Three of them are permanent members (van den Berg, Ricchetti, and Moor) and three of them are rotating positions (starting with Saragosa, Sala, and either Cooper or Cunningham).

Catching Up with Schellas Hyndman

Thoughts on the Brazil Trip?

I think this is another great opportunity for us to work on our team chemistry, building the team together. I really enjoyed the Florida trip because we were all together and were raining together. When we go to Brazil, we’re at one of the better training sites in Brazil. We’ll also have some down time and some games. Not only are we taking our players, but we’ve got four players that will be showing up there as trialists. So we’re still looking for maybe more. We’re also taking three or four of our younger academy players to give them a chance to see soccer in a very rich environment.

Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator:  These trips are important, we need to get away from you idiot reporters.

Is Rocha so much in the dog house with is fitness that you have considered dropping him?

No.  No, no. 

I think it’s a combination of a couple of things. He made every effort to be here when he was supposed to. When we bumped it up a week, he wasn’t aware of that. The second thing is that when he showed up for his visa, there were some issues there and that dragged it on. I think he’s put himself not in a real favorable position because he’s not fit. As a coach starting preseason, I’ve really encouraged guys to come in better shape and we’re really worked hard at it. He’s missed three-and-a-half to four weeks. So he’s doing more, he’s doing extra but I don’t think I can put him on the field for 90 minutes and count on him. Maybe it’s 20 minutes. Maybe it’s work his way up to a starting position. Right now, I don’t think I can put him on the field with his fitness. But it’s not just his fitness, it’s his sharpness.

Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator:  Rocha is on the “can’t trust him” list right now.

Can you update us on McCarty’s position now that you have Ferreira in the team?

He’s been great. I’ve been extremely pleased with his attitude, work ethic and demeanor. He’s been playing very well. If we would have gone into this season without a No. 10, Dax would have had that position. He’s done enough to say that he deserves to be there. Once David comes in and we get a chance to see his true ability, maybe he is the No. 10. I’m expecting him to be the No. 10 but I don’t think that Dax is going to be off the field. I think Dax has done enough for himself to be some place on the field. I think he’s done enough for himself that we need to reward him, not punish him because we got another player.

Buzz’s Coach Speak Translator:  McCarty is getting the first shot at right mid.

Training

Today seemed to be about transition play cause every drill had zones that you could pass or dribble into and out of to join groups in attack or defense.  First drill was a simple possession game divided in half.  A 35 yard box with a partition.

Green: McCarty, Watson, Cunningham, Moor, van den Bergh, Guarda, Dello-Russo, and Rocha.
Blue: Wagner, Cooper, Ricchetti, Purdy, Torres, Avila, Emerson H, and Pitchkolan.

2nd drill was a 35 yard field with thirds for transition play, full goals, and keepers.  Groupings were to stay in their section with one extra player again penetrating by dribble or pass.

White: Cooper Cunningham
VDB McCarty Avila
Wagner Purdy Moor

Blue: Watson Guarda
Emerson Ricchetti Rocha
Torres Pitchkolan Dello-Russo

Finally was a 60 yard field with open play to implement the extra player in quick transition elements being worked on today.  Same teams as the previous drill.

Thought of the Day 1

It’s impressive what a leap forward McCarty’s possession game taken this spring.  Yes the defense is improved but even more than that he’s become dogged on the ball.  He’s much harder to dispossess.

Dax is not going to be a pure flank runner on the wing, instead he’ll play a bit more like Rocha and tend to slide central at times.  His combination play should be helpful to the midfield and his timing getting forward is really sharp right now.  He won’t score as many goals as someone like Avila might but the team should be better all around.  His free kicks and crosses should be a nice compliment on the right to van den Bergh on the left.

What might be even more interesting will be Rocha’s response to not starting.

Categories: Practice Observations.

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