Sounders hold final preparation for first preseason game
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Sounders FC held their final training session at Grande Sports World on Monday before they play the Portland Timbers in their first preseason game on Tuesday and they got a good workout in in Casa Grande to prepare.
Tuesday’s game will feature two 45-minute periods and one 30-minute period to give the teams a chance to get a look at more of their players in a competitive environment.
On Monday, the Sounders went through a warm-up, then had an 11v11 possession game followed by a series of 7v7 games on a short field with additional players surrounding the field for support.
The day ended with an 11v11 walk-through to get the group ready for the match and head coach Sigi Schmid emphasized afterward that it would be a good opportunity to see players in different situations, particularly with so many players unavailable – with Brad Evans, Eddie Johnson, Mario Martinez and Adam Johansson all away on international duty and several other regular starters resting injuries.
Schmid did mention that the staff would use the game to get another look at some of the non-roster players, including Djimi Traore and Shavar Thomas.
Traore joined the team in training this week after spending his entire pro career playing in France and England. Most notably, the 32-year-old center back won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, coming back from a 3-0 deficit against AC Milan to tie the match, eventually winning on PKs.
Thomas also joined this week and looks to join his eighth MLS team. He played most recently for the Montreal Impact in 2012, starting in 13 of his 15 appearances for the expansion club.
Tuesday’s match against Portland kicks off at 9:30 am Pacific and can be watched live on SoundersFC.com.
Tuesday’s game will feature two 45-minute periods and one 30-minute period to give the teams a chance to get a look at more of their players in a competitive environment.
On Monday, the Sounders went through a warm-up, then had an 11v11 possession game followed by a series of 7v7 games on a short field with additional players surrounding the field for support.
The day ended with an 11v11 walk-through to get the group ready for the match and head coach Sigi Schmid emphasized afterward that it would be a good opportunity to see players in different situations, particularly with so many players unavailable – with Brad Evans, Eddie Johnson, Mario Martinez and Adam Johansson all away on international duty and several other regular starters resting injuries.
Schmid did mention that the staff would use the game to get another look at some of the non-roster players, including Djimi Traore and Shavar Thomas.
Traore joined the team in training this week after spending his entire pro career playing in France and England. Most notably, the 32-year-old center back won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, coming back from a 3-0 deficit against AC Milan to tie the match, eventually winning on PKs.
Thomas also joined this week and looks to join his eighth MLS team. He played most recently for the Montreal Impact in 2012, starting in 13 of his 15 appearances for the expansion club.
Tuesday’s match against Portland kicks off at 9:30 am Pacific and can be watched live on SoundersFC.com.
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