Evan Bush content with work rate two weeks into preseason camp
Evan Bush knows a thing or two about preseason training camps with the Montreal Impact. The American goalkeeper is currently taking part in his ninth training camp with the Bleu-blanc-noir, this one taking place in Sarasota, Florida.
So far, Bush, who recently signed a three-year contract with the Montreal club, is quite content with how this one is shaping up.
“We have quite a good group this year in terms of work rate, work ethic and professionalism,” said Bush. “There’s no one holding the group back. A lot of times you get that, especially in preseason; guys coming in unfit, or with off the field stuff like contract negotiations. It could become somewhat of a distraction and you see it all over the league. For us, we haven’t really felt that at all. There’s always stuff going on, but it hasn’t crept into our training or in any interactions within the team, and that’s something to really be proud of.”
For Bush, one of the key factors is the lack of turnover compared to last year, not only from the players’ perspectives, but from the coaching staff’s as well. If there were questions marks regarding the positions or situations of certain players this time last year, the Ohio native has seen a lot less of that this time around.
“There’s more clarity this year,” added Bush. “Guys can come in with a better sense of what the expectations are for themselves and for the club. When you have clarity around your situation, whether it’s good or bad, at least you know where you stand. That’s the main thing every professional wants. I think it can only benefit us going into this new season.”
Bush and his teammates will be back in Montreal on Thursday, in time to take part in the Impact’s 2019 season kickoff on Friday. They’ll then spend the weekend in Montreal, before heading back to Florida, this time in St. Petersburg, for the second part of training camp.
The team will then head straight to San Jose, in California, where they open their season on March 2 against the Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium (TVA Sports).
“The mental battle is tough, especially for those of us with families back home,” pondered Bush. “A lot of times they think you’re on vacation down here because it’s sunny and warm. But we miss being home and having that sense of normalcy. We’ll get back at the end of the week, see everyone and get some rest and head back out again.”
