Training Notes: June 4, 2014

After its 1-0 shutout victory over the reigning MLS Cup Champion, Sporting Kansas City, the First Team regrouped at the RFK training field in preparation for its upcoming trip to FedExField to face the Columbus Crew on June 7 (6:30 p.m. EST, Comcast SportsNet).

Players began with a lively 5-v-2 keep away to get loose, and as usual, there was some gloating as players were oohing and aahing to the result of good passes and megs. After the warm-up, the guys moved into a dynamic stretching circuit, which then led to a much-needed water break during one of the hottest training sessions so far this year.

Next, the team split in to three lines, all featuring different drills. At one station, the guys worked on their acceleration using a line of orange cones to mark their path, while others jumped two hurdles and accelerated to the finish line. The third group maneuvered through a line of red flags before being passed a ball to volley back to the server.

Afterwards, the players divided in to three groups to run a fast-paced passing drill. Using a face-to-face formation, the team ran through one-touch passes, two-touch passes, controlling the ball in the air and give-and-go’s. Once the drill was over, the team broke in to teams, distinguishing themselves with grey, yellow and blue pinnies. The objective: complete seven consecutive passes for a goal. Whilst the drill was in motion, goalkeepers Bill Hamid, Andrew Dykstra and Joe Willis were doing a separate shooting drill with Goalkeeping Coach Preston Burpo.

Once the keepers were warmed up, they once again joined the players to finish the day. Roughly 75 percent of the field was set up for a game of 7v7 to goal with Hamid in one net and Dykstra in the other. The blue team defeated the green team 2-0 behind goals from Conor Doyle and Luis Silva.