8/4 Practice report

utah_heretic · 08-04-2005, 07:49 PM

It was VERY hot on the field today. Be prepared for a serious scorcher on Saturday. Practice started with Clint tackling and beating on Jamie for a bad pass during the initial passing drill (it all looked like good natured hazing from where I was sitting...I'd still like to know the whole story behind that though.)

On the positive side, Pope (Habemus Papam) looks GREAT. He looks none the worse for wear from his high ankle strain, looks more fit than I've seen him, and was a force of nature on the pitch today. The time spent with the USMNT looks to have been very good for him.

Broome, sporting his new buzz cut hairdo looks increasingly comfortable with the defense.

Rusty will definitely be fit to play, though looked the weakest of hte back four today. There is some speculation that Ellinger may decide to start Chris Brown at right back after his play against Dallas. Though he wasn't scrimmaging as a part of the "starting squad", so make of that what you will, he did look solid today at right back.

Future left sider Rob Scarlett looks very solid and has an absolute cannon for a left foot. He has the potential to be a very dangerous left midfielder for this squad. He is very fast and brings a more subtle Caribbean passing style to the team. I look for him to work well with Cleetus from the left side. He looks very fit after his Gold Cup appearance, and if his play is consistantly as good as it was today, I expect him to start at left midfield against the smurfquakes Aug. 20. He was by far the most pleasant surprise of the day.

Cabrera continues to rehab during practice, and did not scrimmage with the team today.

DJ has started to learn some Spanish and incorporate it into some of his directions...though he still appears to be having some pain in his left shoulder.

Kenny continues to look solid, and may continue to keep his starting spot after the August 15th eligibility comes into effect. The competition for position should prove helpful to the team.

The intensity level on the pitch today was not quite what I expected from a Thursday "game condition" practice. They did not have the same level of urgency that they had prior to the F*C* Dallas game...though they did not play badly. The presence of Scarlett and Gregorio, coupled with the return of Pope (Habemus Papam) altered the composition of the main scrimmage, shifting Behnke and Knowles to the reserve scrimmage. Both sides of the main scrimmage showed some intelligent and exciting play. The added depth should hopefully raise the level of play overall during the next few weeks.

The heat obviously took a toll out there today. Most of the team looked a bit haggard after the main scrimmage. Gregorio looked like he might need an IV after practice. Look for the heat to be a major factor in Saturday's game. With any luck it will affect the Cheetos more than us.

Remus · 08-04-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utah_heretic

The heat obviously took a toll out there today. Most of the team looked a bit haggard after the main scrimmage. Gregorio looked like he might need an IV after practice. Look for the heat to be a major factor in Saturday's game. With any luck it will affect the Cheetos more than us.

Thanks for the report. I'm sure this weekend will turn out like last week (knock on wood). As for the heat, wasn't it 113 degrees two weeks ago in LA. Although its only in the high 80s this week. Here it is supposed to be 91 degrees.

Stucki · 08-04-2005, 09:56 PM

The heat is magnified by the turf. It was hot at practice today. Sunscreen and plenty of water will be in order on Sat.

luvmyboys · 08-04-2005, 10:12 PM

thanks heretic! As always, great report. Its almost as good at being there....oh by the way, my hubby has something for you on Sat. 🍺

Deuce · 08-04-2005, 10:15 PM

Thanks Heretic... absolutely great as usual.

Stucki · 08-04-2005, 10:16 PM

Oh yes, good job.

PS I was sitting right next to him and couldn't see nearly as much as he could, it was an education for me.

Remus · 08-04-2005, 10:27 PM

For the weather, I'm not sure..... Weather.com says 91 degrees, Channel 2 says 96... who do we believe. I forgot about the field adding to the heat....

SokkerNut · 08-05-2005, 07:07 AM

Great job on the reporting. Thanks for taking the time to keep us informed.

SoccerPrime · 08-05-2005, 07:54 AM

Agreed. Thanks Heretic!

montgjules · 08-05-2005, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remus

For the weather, I'm not sure..... Weather.com says 91 degrees, Channel 2 says 96... who do we believe. I forgot about the field adding to the heat....

91 = hot
96 = hot

Either way, bring extra sunscreen and put it on regularly. And bring a red hat. I have this floppy silly looking thing that I found at Target, but it's red. And it's a hat. So it's perfect. And don't forget to put your bottled water way at the bottom of your backpack so it doesn't get confiscated. (Oops, did I say that out loud?) (Nope. I typed it.)