Training report: day one in the books

DAY ONE

After a weekend of testing and conditioning at George Mason University, D.C. United held its first official training session on Monday morning at the Greenbelt Sportsplex in Glenn Dale, Md. On the turf inside the cozy indoor facility, the Black-and-Red began ball work and small-sided competition for the first time this year under the watchful gaze of United Head Coach Ben Olsen. Said the former United midfielder, "It got a little chippy out there already, but that's great. The [team] spirit right now is good, we have a very deep squad, and already when I look around this team people are going to have to work to get a spot." Olsen continues, "We can't panic and rush things. I believe in gradually getting into [training] - so a lot of touches, a lot of ball work. A lot of these guys haven't spent that much time with a ball in the offseason because of weather and things, so it's important to make sure they are getting as many touches as possible and get their cardio up. As we progress into preseason we will start doing more explosive stuff, there's a science behind what we're doing physically with these guys."

HARD KNOCKS

The team spirit that Olsen references was evident today, with all of the players excited to finally train with one another. Competitiveness was apparent at all levels, with defender Julius James, Dejan Jakovic, and rookie Perry Kitchen pushing hard on the backline. Kitchen took a solid shot to the face, and the Akron product's nose immediately began to swell, requiring gauze in his nostrils in order to continue playing. "We were playing a little keep away game and I got a ball square in the face," said Kitchen. "It wasn't a big deal, I recovered fine. I thought the intensity was good, guys were getting after it and it was very intense. I like that kind of session." Forward Chris Pontius received a tough challenge from Jakovic early on, leaving the Santa Barbara native with a gash on his left leg. United Academy product Ethan White injured his right calf this morning, and he will be monitored closely for the remainder of the week. 

McCARTY, NGWENYA SET TO ARRIVE

Following an inspired performance as captain of the U.S. National Team over the weekend, United midfielder Dax McCarty is set to join his new club very shortly. Ben Olsen said today that he has given McCarty leave to collect himself following an intense National Team camp with Bob Bradley's staff. It is likely that McCarty will be in DC towards the end of this week ahead of the club's trip to Fort Lauderdale on Monday, January 31. Joseph Ngwenya is making his way Stateside from Zimbabwe, as the veteran striker wraps up personal matters in Africa. The former Houston player is expected in camp at midweek.