Wednesday, September 17, 2008

A Running Start


With the exception of Steve Cronin, all of the players who are eligible for selection to Bruce Arena this weekend were out on the training field this afternoon as preparations continued for Saturday's game against D.C. United.

As you can see above,the guys did a bit of running after going through a full field 11v11 game for much of the day. After training we caught up with Sean Franklin to talk about this weekend's game and his push to become the first Galaxy player ever to win the Rookie of the Year award.

But first, we spoke to Jeremy Barlow to give you the fans a little bit more background on him and what you can expect from him on the field.

Jeremy Barlow



Sean Franklin

9 comments:

charlesj27 said...

Thanks for these training updates. We appreciate it very much, as ardent soccer fans. I know that many at times players do not like and often question coaches' decisions on making training and fitness so demanding. It's understandable from their immediate or initial perspective, because they may be so tired and out of breath. But, a player's ability to successfully, innately, and unconsciously master full 90+ minute fitness will always be glad and thankful that the coaches did indeed push all of them that hard. Without absolute confidence in one's form, fitness, runs, counter-runs, and chases during game time... the team as a whole... and, the game at hand greatly suffers and becomes at risk. Players' ability to not think about how tired they are or how many minutes there are left... greatly improves play-making and mastery. Players can then focus on controlling the game the way they need to. Play-making is about always having the patience, the agility, the pace, and the collectiveness from the rest of the players that are with you on the pitch. If anyone had a chance to see Real Madrid vs. Beta Boruvis (from Belarus) - you could see that Real Madrid did not concern themselves with fitness... fitness they had and were sure of... the players for Real were intently focusing on play-making making sure that many of the Real players were involved in play-making and took good, correct, and clean touches and passes. All of our players need to be undeniably sure, confident, and well-aware that they can last a full 90+ minutes of play. They need to work on concentration, focus, posession, controlling play - allowing everyone to participate in play-making. This is what makes for a superb team... a strong team... a championship team!

charlesj27 said...

Question: Where is Alvaro Pires? Did he have to go back to Brazil to be with family or something? Haven't seen him at all in any of training pics this week?
Is Eduardo Dominguez still back in Argentina? Did his wife deliver yet?
What about Joey Franchino? I know he had ankle contussions that he was trying to recover from... Is he still on track? The LA Galaxy News page lists him as "Doubtful" - but, he should be training with the rest of the squad, by now - no?
Every available member of our team should continue in playing 11 v 11 games during training. Everyone has to be aware, alert, and mindful of their team members' runs, styles, pauses, and tendencies. Our communication and connections has to be much more practiced, clean, and constructive to always keep pushing forward to give our forwards as much set-up time as they need!

MEG said...

I think you have to remember that the average MLS player will make less in their whole career than players at the clubs you are referring to make in one game. The lifestyle, medical teams facilities avaialble to the top European teams are not the experience of most of the MLS players. Chritiano Ronaldo needed ankle surgery, he had the means and his club had the means to consult any medical team in the world. What happens to an MLS player? Do they go and sit in a Kaiser waiting room? I don't know. Does the average MLS player have chefs preparing them nutritiuos meals or do they stop at the Mcdonalds on Avalon after training? I would love for MLS clubs to be able to compete with the top clubs in the world if only because I live here for now and would like to watch some serios stuff. Right now that is not going to happen so lighten up and enjoy a kick around.

charlesj27 said...

Luvbecks,
I don't think I can disagree with what you stated. Of course, the pay, the lifestyle, the facilities, the stadiums, the training, the medical care, the meals, etc... all of that are exceptionally grander and more top-notch in many premier European leagues than here in the US with MLS and with USL. I know that for many developmental players in MLS, the pay absolutely stinks. It's saddening to me that these guys have to make do with only so little. However, these guys got into MLS because they want to excel in this sport and somehow, someway make it in the "big time" (in relative MLS scale terms). But, not everyone will get there... Many of them try to hang in there for a couple of years and eventually have to settle for USL teams. The will, the drive, the determination to play solid, correct, skilled soccer is something that every player in MLS need to aspire to. I'm sorry - but to me - this is the only way the entire level of MLS will improve across many teams. The younger generation of players believe in that and they strive for that. This is good. This is why as much opportunities and exposure that youth academies can provide to learning players about USL and MLS - the better of we will be in the long run. Yes, this will take time. Definitely, I understand that. But, the group of young players we have on our LA Galaxy team need to commit to the strengthening, the perfection, the solidification of their soccer education & skills. Learning and accepting daily is what's going to guarantee a better, longer, more worthy MLS career. And so, the repetitive training, drills, scrimmaging, fitness, and mixed group plays will all combine to help these players grow and excel. As an ardent soccer fan, I have to keep saying this... I have to - it's in my DNA. I cannot take a "let's chill and sit back and watch players kick the ball around for fun" approach to this team. I think plenty of American amateur, pre-developmental, and pre-professional soccer teams take that approach. It will only cheapen and hurt all of the altruism and intensity of this beautiful game. I'm gonna' keep saying the stuff that needs to be said - Day In & Day Out!
It could all be in vain... and, then again - there are individuals that may read it and be more emblazened and emboldened to strive further, to work harder, to not stop wanting better soccer.

MEG said...

Charles, I agree with your remarks and would love to see real football and the Galaxy in particuar excel but I am not going to beat myself up about and get depressed after another loss. The system here just doesn't work for football( sorry I won't call it soccer). Beckham and co were at academies by age 12. My son at age 9 was playing for the farm team of our local pro club in England. My grandson at 9 is playing in AYSO "for fun" on a team with nine per side and a soccer Mom. My son came to the US at 11 played 3 hours after he got off the plane and scored 6 goals against an unbeaten travelling team. He was a peer and rival of the Galaxy player who retired last year and easily at his level. He didn't pursue a career in the game as he couldn't afford to and is now a top executive in corporate USA. Maybe in England he would have pursued it maybe not but the system here just caused him to completely lose interest and avidly folow his favorite Prem team. We all go to Galaxy games and stand and scream with the best of them. We often have to move as we cannot take the comments of the soccer Dad wannabees. Not trying to sound overbearing but that is the way it is. I would love to see the Galaxy win whatever it is they play for but can't take it seriously or would be too depressed. I grew up literally surrounded by football players, I understand your passion but the inate feel for the game is missing. Just look at the Galaxy/USA star player Donovan he looks bemused at times, his head is stil back in AYSO and soccer moms not the reality of a schoolboy battling in the mud and cold with the passion of generations. Go Becks, can't wait to see you tomorrow. Go Galaxy lets have a win, PLEASE!!!

charlesj27 said...

Luvbecks,
Fair enough, good sir. Fair enough. You are right, my insane love and attachment to soccer and this team does make me invest so much of my desire and longing into arguing and combating facets, criteria, behaviors that are still part of American soccer and will be for many years to come. I believe you are old enough and wise enough to put things into a more wiser (less heart-ache) perspective. Thanks for your thoughts and your reasonings - they indeed are valuable. May be if I really take a couple of steps back... it's probably better for the beautiful game as a whole if American sports takes the slow, bumpy, ridiculous, superficial journey towards growing into the standards and the commitment behind true soccer (football) at the level of international / world quality.
You'll still see me ranting and ravingabout our team... but, I just know I am keeping mindful of how resilient, cool, and tempered I need to be! Cheers! Please, good saint up above - please let us win the game tomorrow. These losses / ties are really wearing me down!

MEG said...

Dear Charles, Can't argue with any of that except. I am not a "sir" or even a Mr.
Even though I say stay cool, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEase lets win tomorrow. See you at the match.

MEG said...

A Liverpool supporter!!!! Now that is a real team! Walk on!

rodney said...

I don't know why the team even bothers to practice, they all want to loose wany ways.

David Beckham missing all free kicks et cetera.