training notes

Do-or-die matches: The death of me, among other things

We're inching further and further toward a reboot at Real Salt Lake, and I don't want it to happen. Two things will delay it: continuing in the CONCACAF Champions League and advancing in the MLS Cup playoffs. One of those things we will be worrying about on Tuesday, and it's all in our hands now.

Yuck. These do-or-die matches are what we live for, but my word, they'll be the death of me. It's feeling more and more tense every day, and if things go badly, I fear there will be an implosion in our fan base to go along with one in our team.

Training Notes: Viana a talent, Espindola the keeper, and more

Ahoy-hoy! It's been a day and a half, hasn't it? I've got some training notes and some reading for you lot, so gobble it up. Consume! (Have you seen that film They Live directed by John Carpenter and starring Rowdy Roddy Piper? Yeah, that's what I feel like when I say things like "Consume!" I must apologize.)

Anyway, notes, right?

Training Notes: Grabavoy out; Sabo, Wingert in; hard workers

Some training notes and quotes for you today, as with most Fridays. It was a focused but light-hearted (is that a contradiction in terms?) session over at America's First Field, which, if you've not been, is rather stunning. The pitch — essentially the same as over at Rio Tinto — is fantastic. It's like carpet. Beautiful, beautiful carpet.

Right, right. You didn't come to hear me gushing about the field, did you? Let's get on with things.

Training Notes: Saborio back, Velasquez sparky, Enzo strong, Viana intriguing

If there's one thing I love about being a fan of RSL (and there are a great many things), it's the open trainings. Of course, I love more things than just this, but there's nothing quite like being right up there, seeing young players who don't get minutes on the pitch, getting a glance at new players, and all that.

Training Notes: Schuler back, Kwame loud, Jason active and more

Another day of training in the Dallasian (is that a word?) heat down, and our boys are getting further ready for our match against the resurgent Texans. As usual, when I attend training, I like to compile a hasty list of notes, which I then pass on to you. Take them as you will.

Training Notes: Braun, starter projections, trialists and more

As with some Fridays, I took in training today, and I thought it may be prudent to share some of my observations. As always, take them or leave them, and they may or may not be based in reality. I sure hope they are, though.

It was a relatively subdued session, with the side preparing largely for tomorrow's match against the Rapids. I got a good look at some folks, although, of course, it's just training, and game day training at that. Without further ado, though:

Training Notes: Mentality and response, Mansally, Olave and young midfielders

After a hard blow like the one we picked up against the Galaxy, it's exceedingly easy to shrink, to shirk your responsibilities and ignore any errors that have come from collective performances. Mentality is a tetchy issue at best, so when you run into circumstances like those, it's important to stand up and recognize that improvement is needed — but that it's not the end of the world.

Training Notes: Thoughts on Paulo, Enzo, Arnoux and more; Mansally on trial with RSL

You know that feeling you get when things have seemed dim and gloomy and it's all lifted away? I think that's what I just experienced after attending training. Not that things were wholly dark — hence my usage of 'dim' — but seeing everyone working (and indeed, working much harder than I do while I play, although it may be the case that people who aren't playing at all are working harder than I do when I play — convoluted sentence, much?) — well, it's all seeming a bit brighter.

Training notes: Positive injury outlook, midfield future, and more

After taking in an hour or so of training this morning, I'm feeling quietly confident about our chances tomorrow. Injuries might have taken their toll in some respects, but there are some encouraging signs out of the Real Salt Lake camp.

Let's go through this piece by piece, shall we? Let's take on the players who have been reported to have injuries first.

Training notes: Injuries, depth, Enzo and more!

A short one from me today, as Trevor had an excellent and enjoyable first post on Under the Crossbar. If you've not given that a read, I'd recommend you do so before you partake in my scattered, barely legible ramblings.

Are you done? OK, good. Let's get on with it.

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