The Black-and-Red wrapped up their first preseason training camp in Clearwater, Florida, on Friday, using the time in camp to integrate new faces and put in extensive physical work.
While building fitness levels is normally the primary component of preseason training, head coach Ben Olsen noted that, with so many new players in the fold, building team chemistry has also been a principle focus of this preseason.
“It’s so early in the season that players are on their best behavior so it’s always a tough time to judge the team’s chemistry,” Olsen noted on a conference call with reporters last week. “Everyone is excited to be back and get to know their new teammates.”
Among those newcomers is veteran defender Frédéric Brillant, who echoed Olsen's emphasis on building team bonds. Brillant iterated the need for chemistry in the back line in order to build an effective defensive corps, and the Frenchman spent much of camp getting to know his new partners.
“It’s very important because we didn’t play together last year—it’s crucial for us to be compact and work for each other,” Brillant said.
The middle of camp's first week saw the returns of Russell Canouse, Ian Harkes and Paul Arriola, who spent the month of January training with the U.S. Men’s National Team. The experience was valuable for all three midfielders as they got a jump start on preseason training, but January Camp was especially significant for Canouse and Harkes, whose selections to the camp were their first call-ups.
“It was really exciting," Harkes said. “Obviously January Camp is another stepping stone, but it was a big one for me knowing that I got my first experience with the full USMNT.”
“It was very special,” Canouse said. “It’s hard to describe the feeling of being able to put on the red, white and blue and what it actually means. I was blessed to put it back on.”
For Olsen, the National Team experience was the perfect running start to preseason training for the trio.
“All three have come back at a good fitness level and they’re all sharp in training,” Olsen said. “I think it was a great opportunity for Ian and Russell and I also think it was great for Paul to get back there."
The early half of camp's first week was dedicated to defensive work, while the tail end focused more heavily on the attack. Saturday featured a split-team scrimmage that ended in a 0-0 draw, and though it didn’t feature scoring, Olsen was impressed with the level on display.
After a crucial opportunity to rest over the weekend, United returned to the pitch on Monday, Feb. 5 for three more full days of training. The second week of camp continued to push players to their physical limits while also challenging them to continuously practice good habits in their positional play. Defensive shape, finishing, build-up play in the midfield, transition into the attack, and constant communication were all areas of focus.
On Thursday, the Black-and-Red returned to the pitch for something other than training for the first time since last October when they faced Swedish side Malmö FF in their first preseason friendly. While United conceded two late goals to fall 2-1, Olsen considered the performance positive overall as players remained competitive and disciplined despite being pushed to the brink of their fitness levels. The friendly also gave the coaching staff the a real chance to assess new players and formations in competition.
United's first training camp laid down a solid foundation of concepts for the group to hone in on, while also encouraging competition for starting spots. That competition is something the coaching staff is keen on fostering before heading into friendlies against the Philadelphia Union and Jacksonville Armada during their second training camp, a friendly in Las Vegas against USL newcomers Lights FC on Feb. 24, and the Black-and-Red's 2018 MLS opener against Orlando City on March 3.
“I’m very happy with our current depth and the competition for spots,” Olsen said. “I still think we’ll be adding a couple of pieces before the season starts and hopefully these are guys that can come in and also make a real impact."
