anderson
14 Jul 2005, 01:54 AM
The Houston Chronicle has an interesting piece on Damani Ralph's experience in Russia:
Ralph gamely takes on challenges of Russia (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/soc/3265600)
"I have to hold the ball a lot and do a lot of chasing, which takes a lot away from my game," Ralph said. "I have had to adapt to their system."
Ralph also has encountered issues like racism, diet, weather and language barriers that have made playing in Russia challenging. He has been in training sessions when the temperature was 15 below zero.
...
"The people in general, it's a little racist. You don't want to encounter these people. It has been a lot different, a shock. The style of play is a lot different than MLS."
Ralph gamely takes on challenges of Russia (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/soc/3265600)
"I have to hold the ball a lot and do a lot of chasing, which takes a lot away from my game," Ralph said. "I have had to adapt to their system."
Ralph also has encountered issues like racism, diet, weather and language barriers that have made playing in Russia challenging. He has been in training sessions when the temperature was 15 below zero.
...
"The people in general, it's a little racist. You don't want to encounter these people. It has been a lot different, a shock. The style of play is a lot different than MLS."