Training Notes: September 25, 2014

After clinching a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals last night with a 2-0 victory over Tauro F.C. of Panama, the team returned to the soggy RFK training field to prepare for its home-clash against rivals Philadelphia Union (Saturday, Sept. 27, 3 p.m. EST). Buy tickets here!

Per routine, the Black-and-Red began practice with a standard game of 5v2 keep-away to get loose, before transitioning into dynamic stretching and an agility drill. Once the players were warm, the guys split into two groups of eight, working on quick one-touch passes within a 25-yard space.

On the far side of the field, players who saw significant minutes last night ran a drill of their own. Confined to a small circle, four players stood outside the grid, with the objective of juggling around the guy in the middle while keeping steady possession.

Following the exercises, the team moved to a full-field passing drill, attacking alternating goalkeepers Bill Hamid and Joe Willis.

To finish off the rainy day of training, the guys separated into two groups of six for an intrasquad clash on half the length of the pitch. Separated by green pinnies and black jerseys, the teams played three five-minute games. After the first two games, both sides were tied 2-2 which led to golden goal in the final match. Steven Birnbaum looked like he was going to win it for the black team, but his shot rang off the crossbar and bounced out. A minute later Michael Seaton played a ball to Nick DeLeon who finished it one time for the win, but Assistant Coach Preston Burpo had his flag (a.k.a. hand) raised for offside. So of course, the only logical ending is penalty kicks.

After several makes and misses, much to the excitement of the guys, Perry Kitchen stepped up and rocketed a shot off the near post and in the net to lead the green side to a 4-3 victory.