By Nino Torres
Yesterday, The Columbus Crew Sc came back from Lakewood Ranch Florida to start a three day indoor training session at the SuperKick facilities in Lewis Center. After two weeks of intense conditioning, Head Coach Gregg Berhalter evaluated the team’s progress:
“We’re right where we want to be. We are going to look forward to playing in Austin and Bradenton, but from the fitness standpoint we are right there, from, the tactical standpoint we still have a little ways to go, but the progress is good. In terms of the new guys learning what we’re doing we’re confident with that. We are in a good spot right now.”
This is Berhalter’s second year leading the team, last season at this point it was all about infusing his philosophy to the players. In 2015, the teacher has only a few new students; the rest of the class is up to date with the soccer course:
“From the tactical point of view, a lot of the guys know the system, so there’s a lot less teaching to be done you have to teach five guys instead of 30 guys last year, from that side we are a little bit ahead, we wanted integrate some new ideas, so that take some time as well, but we feel we made some progress”
The national team guys
During the offseason, three Crew SC players stayed busy with the national team: Romain Gall, with the US U-20, Will Trapp with the first team and Justin Meram with Iraq playing the Asian Cup in Australia. All three are in different plans, wit their respective time off. Trapp was the last one to return, and he won’t see much action until next week.
Kamara leading the fitness pack
The forward was close to having zero minutes on the pitch last year, but he is according to the tests “Kei is one of the most, if not the most fittest guy on the team. It’s a testament to him, how he keeps himself in shape and how seriously he takes this. A guy who’s been off that long could have a tendency to coming out of shape, but he’s come not only in shape but top of the group, its pretty impressive” Berhalter said
In regards to the roster, Ben Sweat was the only one cut, and the Crew SC boss has no plans to bring any more additions, not in the near future at least. The team will fly to Austin on Thursday to participate in the ATX Pro Classic.
