Players and coaching staff meet at airport for second part of camp
It definitely wasn’t the longest of breaks. After spending three days in Montreal following the end of the first phase of this year’s training camp, the Impact was back at the airport on Monday afternoon, heading back to Florida to kick off the second part of preseason, one that includes three preparation games as part of the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.
If the opportunity to come back home and see friends and family was a welcome break for the Bleu-blanc-noir players, they also know how essential this next part of camp is in determining the starting 11 for the beginning of the MLS season, which kicks off March 2 in San Jose against the Earthquakes (TVA Sports).
Not too much complaining though; as Montreal braces itself for yet another snowstorm, the weather in St. Petersburg, Florida, is what some would describe as tropical. That being said, here are some of the highlights from yesterday’s media availability at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport.
Defender Jukka Raitala
“We have three friendly games before we start the season. Right now, it’s about getting the teaming bonding and getting the right guys on the field. It’s up to the coach to decide in three weeks what the starting line-up is going to look like. For all of us, it’s important to show the coach that we deserve to play. Most of everyone only played 45 minutes in our first two preseason games. Guys need to start playing a full 90 to get ready for the season. Obviously, fitness was a big theme of the first part of camp, and now the soccer part will play a bigger role.”
Midfielder Nacho Piatti
“It’s great that the majority of players stayed. The coaching staff knows the league a lot better as well. For us, this is important. But this camp is great. The hotel is right in front of where we train. We walk to training and then we simply make our way back to the hotel. We need to finish strong and go have a good game in San Jose.”
Midfielder Micheal Azira
“The team spirit is very important. It’s been noticeable in games and training. The coach has also emphasized that a lot. It’s one of his main principles, to have a strong team spirit and to work together as a team. Everyone is trying to push and encourage each other to give our best, and we still stick together no matter what. The main focus now is determining who’s going to start the first game of the season, the way the coach wants to play, the tactics and the shape of the team. Right now, it’s about polishing those things.”
Midfielder Saphir Taïder
“It brings us closer because we’re always together. We eat, train, play, and sleep together. These are things that make the group tighter. And the weather being nice makes it great. Now, it’s continuing on what we did in the first part of camp. We need to continue getting stronger. There will maybe be less intense work, but certain details will be looked at by the staff. It’s up to us to be attentive and progress as fast as possible.”
