Nobody's really commented on the "First Look", so, here goes: Igor wasn't playing...minor injury of some sort. There were three guest players: Jeremy Aldrich (ex-Fusion and Rampage), a guy from UNC and a guy whose name seemed West African of some sort. Obviously, I didn't take notes. Burciaga looked fantastic. Tactically astute, technically sound, and fluid in both attack and defense. Taylor Graham looks, more or less, like the book on him; his footskills weren't as bad as advertised, but they certainly didn't stand out, either. Carmichael wasn't there; apparently, he's finishing school. Friedland and Jewsbury both seemed fine; Friedland hit a few decent crosses. Everyone else...well, you know what they look like; nothing seemed different.
I would think that a match tracker on MLS is the best we could hope for. Wheelock is with the team so I think that could work.
I mentioned over in the Crusader thread that CJ told us they were trying to get the South Africa games on Metrosports... But you're right, that does seem awfully optimistic.
Sam, As a helpless Wizards fan in Kalamazoo, I appreciate the update. But, I would like someone to give a really thorough update from the practices like Diceson does for DCU. His stuff is better than the Washinton Post. Any volunteers? James
CJ also gave an update on season ticket numbers... IIRC, he said that we were about 1/2 way to the goal of ~7300. Anybody know what last year's season ticket total was?
If we are half way to meeting the goal of 7300 then to be on the pessimistic side, I say they have about 3600. That is close to or above the season tickets from last year.
I'd echo Sam's comments. The rookies and fringe guys were obviously pressing a bit also. Additionally, I'd add that I had a (unusual for me) great aerial view of the 5v3 attacking drill as I was upstairs next to the railing. It was easy to see the fluidity of the break when veterans ran it and vice versa. The drill is geared toward getting a shot off and getting the keeper work. It helps when shots are on net. More often than not hero shots were sprayed everywhere. The accurate shots usually scored and there were a few excellent strikes. Meola stood out in net above Bo and Talley. Water is wet and the sun will rise tomorrow also, BTW.
My observations from the upper deck: I'm still trying to figure out what Diego was thinking with that strawberry head of his??? Speaking on the keeper drills Meola was the definitely the sharpest but I felt Goode was equal to Bo in backup. It'll be curious to see which of them get the 2nd spot. With expansion next year I doubt we'll protect Bo and he's a solid backup and good enough to almost be a starter. (depends on the keeper crop at the time). Wolff didn't press much on the turf and his posture stayed pretty stiff and vertical the whole time. I think he's still a ways off from full blown jump, cut & run torque type things. Did he even go on the trip to South Africa? Fabbro still had elements of slackdom when everyone else was moving off the ball. I have to disagree some on Burciaga. Yes I thought he looked great at times and had some nice step over moves when he came up but he had Jeff Cunninghamitis/Gary Glasgowitis. He would dribble out of the back and cough up the ball on the bad pass numerous times. Wizardscharter and I thought it was Gomez the whole time until we recognized that they just had the exact same "fade" haircut. Our appologies to Gomez on us bagging on him during that time. He will however bring a very nice athletic presence to our backline. Diego is still our best option for dribbling the ball up from the back for now. Brunt looked better than the draftees. Good to see. I hope he settles in a little more this season. One year pro makes the difference and he has athletic potential. Did I miss something but where was Quill? He can't still be training with the Czech team can he? Obviously Kleiny and Garcia were in Nats camp could Quill be with a practice squad/roster there? Overall we looked pretty sharp considering all the new personell that replaced Q, Vermes, Burns as well as just starting to workout again from the offseason.