D.C. United returned to the RFK training field on Tuesday in preparation for its visit to Jacksonville, Fla., and EverBank Field to face Fulham F.C on Saturday, July 26. The starters from Sunday’s match had the day off, while the remaining players got back to work.
The Black-and-Red opened practice with a habitual game of 5v2 keep away to get warmed up, before transitioning to dynamic stretching and an agility drill. The team then moved to a footwork drill, in which the players weaved through poles before being passed a ball to volley back to the server and finished out with quick steps through an agility ladder.
In the typical humid conditions, the team stayed hydrated and took its first of several water breaks. Shortly after, the players were divided into two groups of eight to work on a passing drill. They began with quick back-and-forth touches before transitioning into give-and-go’s and ultimately one-on-one challenges.
While the team continued its passing drill, Goalkeeping Coach Preston Burpo worked with his ‘keepers, utilizing dummies to focus on short-range shots.
After another water break, the team was divided into two teams of seven, distinguished by blue and yellow pinnies, with two neutral players in grey. Using half the field, players then worked on two-touch passing and spacing in a fast paced game of possession.
To finish out today’s session, the team separated into three teams of five for an intra squad tournament, with two teams wearing blue and yellow pinnies and one team donning black jerseys. While two teams squared off, the waiting side ran fitness drills on the other end of the field. After six games with five-minute halves, the green side ultimately took home the championship with Jared Jeffrey scoring the game-winning goal.
<a href="http://www.theorthocentermd.com/"><img src="/sites/dc/files/image_nodes/2014/03/Orthopaedic_Center_120x60.jpg"></a> |
<p class="affiliate">Training Notes presented by <a class="red" href="http://www.theorthocentermd.com/">Orthopaedic Center</a>.</p> |
