April 5, 2011 MLS--Attakora & Stevanovic Train Tuesday (from TorontoFC.ca)
Attakora & Stevanovic Train Tuesday
Asif Hossain
TorontoFC.ca
April 5, 2011
Violent winds did not deter Toronto FC head coach and technical director Aron Winter from getting the most out of his players during Tuesday’s training session at Cherry Beach.
The players went through some fitness tests and technical drills before they broke out for a long spell of highly spirited seven-aside scrimmage under Winter’s close supervision.
Defender Nana Attakora and attacker Alen Stevanovic were substituted in the 1-1 draw against Chivas USA on Saturday. Winter maintained these were tactical substitutions and to his point, both players looked lively at training and were full participants without any visible signs of strain.
Toronto regained the services of midfielder Julian de Guzman in that match against the Goats. The 30-year old, now the third oldest member of the team behind Elbekay Bouchiba and Adrian Cann, looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. Additionally, his boundless energy and high tempo seemed contagious around enthusiastic youngsters.
Winter stressed that the team (which has a 1-1-1 record for four points and five goals in three games) was still “not good enough” but that it is improving with new players learning the TFC system and understanding what’s expected of them in each situation.
The cool temperature and repeated 50km/h wind gusts off Lake Ontario just a few yards away made the cozy confines of the team bus mighty inviting for players at conclusion. They raced off to BMO Field for lunch and will enjoy a day off Wednesday before heading to California on Thursday to train ahead of their next match.
The Reds will face San Jose on Saturday, April 9 at 10:30 p.m. ET on GOL TV Canada.
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