Hi there, Eagles fans!
As a US citizen, I like to think I know the States quite well. I’ve played in many internationals for the USA and I also enjoy coming here on holiday - I spent three weeks in Florida only last summer - but I’d actually never been to Salt Lake City, where we’re currently based. It’s just like my friends told me - there’s a lot of wide, open space and the city itself is quite small. It’s warm and the panoramic views are sensational! Frankfurt City Forest is lovely, but being able to see the Rockies from the training pitch is incredible.
The “crazy room”
We started off with a light training session on Sunday. I was quite relieved to be honest - the trip from Frankfurt to Salt Lake City was pretty tiring and the jet lag was still taking its toll. All we did was a couple of exercises with the ball and a few passing drills, just to get back into the swing of things. The intensity is only going to increase though, I’m pretty sure of that. We turned things up a notch in our second session of the day, when we practised various formations. We want to use the time here to get to know our new head coach, but also to help the new players settle in. There’s no better place to do that than a training camp! I’m not sharing a room with any of the newcomers - Marco Russ and Branimir Hrgota are my roommates in the so-called “crazy room” - but there’s a communal area where we laugh together, hang out in the evening and where I want to get to know the new guys.
Up against international colleagues
I also spoke to Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando before flying to the US. I’ve played with both of them for the US national team and both currently ply their trade at Real Salt Lake, our next opponents. They’re in good form at the moment having beaten the MLS league leaders at the weekend. That’s why I’m taking nothing for granted. The lads are buzzing and they’re in the middle of their domestic season. It’s not going to be easy for us - the standard of the MLS is improving every year - but I’m still looking forward to playing against them. We’ll work hard again tomorrow then see where we’re at, but we still have plenty of time before the start of the season.
Yours,
Timothy
