Training Notes: August 1, 2014

In a joint open training session at RFK Stadium with Inter Milan, D.C. United participated in its final practice before its upcoming road trip to Houston to face the Dynamo on Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium (8 p.m. EST, Comcast SportsNet). Starters from Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Toronto F.C. had a lighter training session from the rest of the team, focusing primarily on dynamic stretching. Additionally, Chris Pontius and new signee Kofi Opare participated in their first practice this season.

Training began with a customary game of 5v2 keep away for both clubs. Initially, each team played amongst themselves, however, both teams joined each other’s games and began chatting. Among the commotion, Perry Kitchen and Steven Birnbaum played a game of soccer tennis with Inter players.

While Inter worked on a 3v3 offensive scrimmage on one side of the field, United split in to two teams of four, distinguishing themselves with green and blue pinnies, with three neutral players in grey. The objective of the drill was to maintain possession with the help of neutral players, while the other team applied constant ball pressure.

Meanwhile, it was all business for goalkeepers Bill Hamid and Joe Willis, who worked on separate shot-stopping drills with Goalkeeping Coach Preston Burpo.

Inter’s keepers were busy as well; taking turns in goal while teammates took shots from outside the penalty box.

To finish practice, as United’s starters continued to stretch, the rest of the team split into two groups of five, once again wearing blue and green pinnies. With Hamid and Willis in goal, the teams played a match on half the field. After cooling down, players from both teams showed their appreciation to the fans in attendance, by signing autographs and taking pictures, before leaving the field.