Photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com
By JOSE M. ROMERO
The MLS Cup final was played not even three weeks ago, but teams are already making training plans in preparation for next season.
Three MLS teams are confirmed for training at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz., beginning in January. The New England Revolution arrive Jan. 21 and stay until the 31st.
The Seattle Sounders are at the complex from Jan. 30-Feb. 7, and the Vancouver Whitecaps will be there from Jan. 31-Feb. 11.
Real Salt Lake — which has a youth academy based at the site — and the New York Red Bulls are confirmed but have yet to set dates. RSL is hosting a pro combine at its academy this month.
The Colorado Rapids are also expected to be at GSW but won't confirm until a new head coach is in place.
Chivas USA and the Portland Timbers have also expressed an interest in booking some time at the site, where players can stay at the resort hotel adjacent to the fields and have all meals and meetings on site.
Additionally, a pair of NASL teams are in the mix. FC Edmonton is confirmed for Feb. 26-March 11, and the San Antonio Scorpions are considering coming out to the desert as well.
All three Cascadia teams (Portland, Seattle, Vancouver) spent time at GSW last winter, as did RSL. Sporting Kansas City, Columbus, Colorado and the L.A. Galaxy did stints at other Arizona sites as well in early 2011.