There are a number of differences between this preseason and that of last year’s for the Impact in its inaugural campaign in MLS.
A change in the coaching staff and a number of players getting their first taste of preseason with the club, Impact assistant coach Mauro Biello feels the biggest difference is that the players will all be on the same level in terms of their physical conditioning.
"Last year, we brought in players from all different teams and all different countries, so there was no consistency in terms of where they were in terms of conditioning," said Biello. "This year we were able to give them a training program for the offseason, one in which we followed their progress."
Another change this season will be the added responsibilities for Biello and the other assistant coaches.
"Marco [Schällibaum] speaks regularly with Philippe [Eullaffroy] and I," explained the Impact’s former number 20. "He gives us responsibilities in training. We discuss the training program for the week, and then he asks us to work certain drills and take the lead at other moments during practice."
