The guys held their final training session prior to departing to Utah at The Home Depot Center this morning. Everybody was focused and on-point as they went through their drills. Ian had the keepers working on throwing accuracy while Bruce and Dave had the field players working on touch passing and field positioning.
Today's training session started at 11 a.m., about an hour later than usual, but some guys headed out early anyways to get some soccer tennis in. We didn't confirm this, but we don't think Bryan and Dema lost a match. Once things got started, the guys went through some 6v6 games before splitting up into 11v11 sides to go over strategy.
Afterward the session we caught with Bruce, Landon and Dema, who's going back to Rio Tinto Stadium for the first time after helping Real Salt Lake reach the Western Conference Finals last season. Here's what they had to say:
Bruce...
Dema...
Landon...
Below are more pictures from today. Including, a picture of a jersey that was hung inside the Galaxy locker room prior to Saturday's game.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Keeping it REAL for Salt Lake
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5 comments:
Man LA,
It is very sad when the league is trying its best to help you guys win games by giving countless penalties and suspended all of the quality players for your opponents, and you still can only manage 1 win.
Welcome to LA, where you will get your ass kicked.
Apart from my other comment, I am glad to be able to see Dema and Klein once again.
Appreciate the further updates on training from the team. Thanks for the pics and audio. I am glad to hear that the coaches and the players did indeed get to practice more on certain areas of their game that needed more attention and work. That's good. It has to be done. Passing and positioning on field during build-up-of-play - also, was practiced on. Good. Plus, setting aside time for 6-v-6 and 11-v-11 scrimmaging. This is how the team should conduct their practices. Passing, Positioning, Creating-on-the-move with the ball / without the ball, assisting in offense, assisting in defense, switching over of roles from defending to offense and offense to defense... all of these things are important. It's critical that the entire team, especially the younsters keep practicing this. Moreover, Dave, Cobi, and Trevor have to take them aside (teh youngsters) and keep emphasizing these fundamentals and principles - while also evaulating where they need more work. To be a working, fluid, continuous team - every member of the starting 11 must have the fundamentals and principles down! Without that - the team cannot progress.
Again, the passing, timing, runs, and finishing have to be more faster and sharper. The only way to get there is through constant practice & work. There is no short-step / quick recipe. The team will get there; but, the coaches, the trainers, the captain/vice-captain (leaders) of this team have to insist constantly and set the expectation!
Tomorrow's game against Real Salt Lake, is a good "AWAY" game and test for our players - they have to be decisive, controlled, sharp - but, more over - they have to always keep the momentum going in their favor. To do this, the team have to pass and control directionality very well. And, the scoring & offense fast & decisive. Do not second guess - when the play builds - it must be quick & it has to be executed. Take the necessary time ahead of the game to review, to cement plays, positioning, and emphases.
I think the harder game will be against Seattle Sounders FC. For one, it's on turf. Second, there is an immense crowd/noise/energy at that location (stadium) - where our players have to be strong, resilient, confident, and very focused. Sigi Schmid will be ready and he will for sure prepare his team. This is not going to be an easy team to break down. With Casey Keller at goal, and that backline of theirs... it is not going to be easy. Our players need to be mentally strong, patient, and very sure that they can master their timing & coordination. We have to hold on and be creative. The offense needs to come in from different areas / from different angles (as strong, repetitive waves of a multi-point attack).
Good luck, LA Galaxy. Play hard - play well!
By the way, the words and the intent behind "The Uniform"... that is indeed correct! And, I applaud the individual(s) who thought of creating it and putting in the locker room. Great idea. Now, just make sure the coaches, the leaders of the team, and hopefully, the players - not only read it before games... but, take personal accountability for it. The intent and the sprit of the message will lose its power and force, if the constant attention and action aren't there. But, my hope, as this season progresses, that everybody on the team believes and accepts what's on that uniform. It takes all eleven on field (11) + the six by the field (6) to make the games meaningful, solid, and worthwhile for one another.
This team sucks!!! They need a coach who doesn't live in the past with slow ass players from his prime coaching days. How bout u head south and find some young hungry talent!!! Funny how both of his last 2 teams are in the bottom of the league and we can barely beat the other without help from the ref. I feel sorry for Becks having to come into this team. Its a sad year to be a Galaxy fan. I just pray that Seattle doesn't embarrass us on the field as they already have in everything else....such as management, player pool, and home environment, but most importantly TALENT!!! Time to pony up the bucks for either Sigi or Preki as opposed to Arena and his pack of old men. Someone keep an eye out on him or he might be silly enough to try and convince Reyna out of retirement with a silly DP contract like he did with NY if we are not careful. What does it take to find some quality young guys with creative skill who can free up Donovan so he can run the field and show us what he learned at Bayern!! As for the fans, step up and get pissed and say something!! This is your team that is taking your hard earned dollars and showing nothing for it on the pitch!!! I'm tired of the mentality that draws are ok. Its either win or win!!! Let's GO GALAXY!!! I want to see some smart players who attack the ball and when they walk off that field, that opposing team will know that they just played one heck of a tough team who didn't take any crap, and fought for every possession. The time is now!! Its time to start treating every darn game like a playoff game and put your heart, soul, sweat, and blood on the field. Cause there is no next game....you gotta start thinking that there's only this game!!! So let's go!!!! You're the marketing pride of the MLS....how bout u start acting like it!!! Darn, I'm spent!!! On a positive note, great job Blog people with the coverage, excellent stuff!!
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