Day two. The most glorious day for so many reasons. Your Sounders FC had it’s first two-a-day training day with the first session providing plenty of little ‘tidbits’ for you to munch on ahead of a big sports weekend in Seattle.
Similar to what we did yesterday (and will do for every day going forward!) here’s a look at some of what went down as the boys in Rave Green took to the pitch in Southern California.
Sigi Has Moves
As training opened up and those dashing new MLS balls were being rolled and bounced onto the pitch, one hopped its way over to Mr. Schmid, who without looking, turned and took the back heel flick with the it midair and chopped it over to a group of players. No look and all. It was a real thing of beauty.
"Sometimes you just have to show it and move on,” said the smiling coach about the little flash of brilliance. Indeed, coach, indeed.
Oba Oba Oba Oba Oba Obafemi Martins
If these first few training sessions are any indication, Obafemi Martins will score a lot of goals this season. Every touch is crisp, electric, powerful. Just all the right stuff. At one point, he had the ball, was backing out of the area with a defender on either shoulder and like lightning, spun on a dime and juked them both out of their jocks.
Different class, Oba is. Remains evident to start this year. Can’t wait to see what he and Clint can do together with a bit of preseason work under their collective attacking belt.
A Very Determined Lamar Neagle
Another Sounders forward playing well so far this preseason is Lamar Neagle who seems to be taking on more of a leadership role with some of the younger forwards like Darwin Jones and Andy Craven. His touch has been good and he’s banged in a few goals to boot. One headed goal in particular was a pleasing one to witness.
Ezra Goes To The Dentist
Sounders FC 2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson made his return to training today after a little dental work yesterday. The poor coach had to have an unscheduled root canal, and naturally, it was a bit hard for him to speak. As you’d expect, the players gave him a bit or razzing for his jumbled words.
That’s So Craven
A good little connection from the young guys in the second part of the first session as Aaron Kovar got down the left with a nice move and whipped in a lovely low cross that draft selection Andy Craven took with a little clip of the heels and powered into the net. It was a pretty savvy finish from the rookie and certainly drew some notice from the coaches standing nearby.
