By TRAVIS CLARK
With most teams in the south and training camps all underway, early friendlies are already taking place. Down in Florida, Preki got to see his new club in game action, as Toronto drew 1-1 against the University of Central Florida men's soccer team.
Toronto was missing a number of first team players, with Dwayne De Rosario, Julian de Guzman and Chad Barrett all out. Trialist Dan Gargan scored Toronto's lone goal with just ten minutes left in the game after Toronto went down 1-0 on a penalty kick.
Out west, the Seattle Sounders wrapped up their time in Arizona with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Sanna Nyassi scored a brace, including the game winner, with Lamar Neagle adding Seattle's other goal.
The club is headed home for a weekend off, before flying out to La Manga, Spain to participate in the La Manga Cup. The competition kicks off on February 18, when the Sounders take on Rosenborg BK.
Here are a few more notes from around MLS training camps:
- Two MLS clubs scrimmaged on Wednesday, as Kansas City knocked off San Jose 3-0 out in Arizona. Striker Kei Kamara scored all three goals for the Wizards, in a match that was divided into four 30 minute quarters. The two teams will square off again on Saturday.
- The Philadelphia Union, who are training down in North Carolina, are preparing for another first: an exhibition match against the University of North Carolina. The team is planning to head to Mexico after wrapping things up in NC.
- A snowstorm in Dallas has forced training to be put on hold at Pizza Hut Park. FC Dallas is scheduled scrimmage with Tulsa University on Saturday — no word on whether or not it will happen.
- The Colorado Rapids signed a pair of defenders on Thursday. Irish left back/left winger Danny Earles and Colombian defender Oscar Murillo are set to join the Rapids and should contend for starting roles.
- D.C. United managed to escape Washington right before a second snowstorm dumped another foot of snow on the ground. The team is scheduled to hold training camp in Bradenton, FL until February 26.
What do you think of the friendly results? Union fans excited for the first game? Can't wait for the season to start?
Share your thoughts below.
Saw on the FC Dal blog that FCD now faces the wrath of Captain ‘Cane at 12pm. Should be a good challenge for the TU kids.
*yawn*
snow in dallas?
sweet, thx for the link.
My guess is Ticketb*stard will not be donating their portion.
I’ve heard a rumor that the matches are all going to be carried by Norway’s TV2 http://www.tv2.no/
Hey Ives,
What about news on the Crew and their new signing of Sergio Herrera?
Dang, only 5,000 on the first day? Now I wish I would have waited and bought from the box office instead of online through Ticketmaster. Surcharges increased the price by 68%. Evidently the charity this game benefits is Ticketmaster.
I also went to TU and its the University of Tulsa, not Tulsa University!
I am wondering how the Sounders will do against a team that has dominated Norway for a while now ?
They better show it on TV or live internet streaming.
People were upset they didn’t show the scrubs playing against Vancouver yesterday. Sounders sold 5,000 tickets the first day for the Portland pre-season game.
Any Union fans out there who know of a blog/website/writer that is following the Union. Every piece out there is all fluff: if I have to read that the team is bonding, that Fred is a surprising leader and that they brought Danny Califf in because of cool tattoos and experience I am going to throw up. There is no confirmed reports on what trialists are there, what players are shining and who is winning the battles at such positions as CDM and goalie.
p.s. this is not a slight whatsoever at Ives, I understand his website does not cover individual teams, it is more of a slight on “The Goalkeeper” who obviously is writing from 500 miles away.
You may get your wish. KC is making plenty of changes on the field….could surprise some people this season.
Having attended the University of Tulsa here’s hoping the rumored FCD scrimmage isn’t cancelled. TU’s had a pretty consistently strong squad in the past few years. I’d also love to see Kansas City actually pull off a decent season for once, but that might just be asking too much of whatever addled second cousin of Fate rules MLS