Lewis Center — No four words warm the heart of many northerners stuck in sub-freezing temperature like “Pitchers and Catchers Report”. However, for Ohio soccer fans, insert the phrase “Training at Superkick”. For the past week, many have wandered into this massive indoor sports facility, guided down the long halls by the sound of 5 a side games, finishing drills, and fitness exercises, to watch America’s Hardest Working Team get back to work. Somewhere in the frigid cold air of Central Ohio, Spring is finally on its way.
For those of you able to make it out, fans will see that fresh faces are everywhere on the plastic pitch, such as Crew first round pick, Rich Balchan. Remarking on his first pro camp, Balchan said, “The quality of play has been good. Everything that we go through is pretty intense. It’s more intense than college, even the passing drills, we just rip through everything. I feel like [my] fitness is already getting better.” The Ann Arbor, Michigan is roommates with fellow Michigander and first round draft pick, Justin Meram. Balchan has yet to meet fans from the local supporters groups, but he said, “They’re very passionate groups; I’m definitely looking forward to meeting them. It makes it special to have a fan base like that.”
Balchan and fellow ex-Hoosier Andy Adlard are just a handful of rookies and trialists trying to make their mark one of the top sides in MLS. However, two unusual guests grabbed headlines yesterday, as a current NFL punter Pat McAfee suited up on a “trial” with the Black and Gold and ex-Crew vet Jeff Cunningham, strolled in on short notice to begin training with the team that drafted him in Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. While no contract is in place, Cunningham was not allowed to participate directly with the team, but spent time doing fitness and technical work.
While not all trialists and draftees are guaranteed a spot on the newly expanded roster, Head Coach Robert Warzycha related that the extra space makes the path a bit easier for the players to stick, adding, “Last year we only had two spots that we were looking for. This time, the players are more confident because they see there is more opportunity. This year, we give them more time to just play and give ourselves a little more time to evaluate.”
Quick Notes:
-Jeff Cunningham was seen partnering with new Crew forward Tom Heinemann, who was not able to fully participate due to injury, in technical work.
-Maybe reading too much into this, but Cunningham was sporting a nice new pair of black and yellow boots. Players get free boots like all the time, but still, seems like his feet are ready to sign.
-Former Crew players Nelson Akwari and Cory Elenio are in camp on a trial. Both are said to be accompanying the team to Arizona later this week.
-Danny O’Rourke and William Hesmer are still on the shelf and not participating in drills.
