The sun has been shining in California this week and Sounders FC has been hard at work preparing for the start of the 2015 season.
With the first preseason match of the year set for Wednesday evening against UCLA, the club got some positional training done on Monday and some bigger scale, half-field work on Tuesday. Here’s more from the last couple training sessions in the latest Tidbits From Training.
Oba In Goal
To end Monday’s afternoon session, we saw a familiar sight between the pipes as Designated Player Obafemi Martins played goalkeeper for some free kick drills. The Nigerian displayed his usual enthusiasm and athletic ability to keep a number of balls out of the goal. All in good fun for the forward, who has been in a great mood in the nice weather this week.
Lowe/Ockford Continue To Impress
Tasked with marking the Sounders’ current top forward duo in Martins and Lamar Neagle, second-year defenders Damion Lowe and Jimmy Ockford held their own in a half-field scrimmage. Very tidy stuff from the pair that has spent a lot of time together over the years, dating back to their days with PDL side Reading United A.C.
Time On The Wing For Jones
In the same session, rookie Darwin Jones spent most of it out wide on the left, working nicely with the central midfielders Gonzalo Pineda and Andy Rose. His speed, obviously one of his best assets, was used often as Head Coach Sigi Schmid watched on. Speaking after training, Schmid mentioned the possibility of Jones seeing more time out on the flank, especially considering the number of forwards currently on the club’s roster.
Right On Track With Mears
On the other side of the pitch, new defender Tyrone Mears seems to have built up a connection with Marco Pappa and Martins. Moving freely up and down the right side, Mears linked up with the forward pair on a few nice overlaps and crosses, something that will surely excite Sounders fans after DeAndre Yedlin’s departure.
A Roldan Family Training Camp
Cristian Roldan hasn’t been the only member of the Roldan family in California with the Sounders. His brother Cesar, 23, has been helping the training staff while at Mt. San Antonio College and is really proud of how far his younger brother has come.
“It’s really cool to see everything from our end as we’ve all worked together and played together,” said the older Roldan of his sibling Cristian. “To see the fruits of his labor, and our parents labor and now it’s all coming around.”
Can't Beat That SoCal Weather
Case in point:
