Sounders report to Tucson training complex
TUCSON, Ariz. - The Sounders arrived in Tucson on Monday and quickly got into training mode, bussing straight from the airport to Kino Sports Complex for their first session of the next phase of training camp – one that will include five matches.
Kino will play host to the Sounders FC, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls over the next two weeks with the Desert Diamond Cup tournament acting as the centerpiece event to the two-week training stint.
The first day focused around an 8v8 possession drill with three teams rotating through the drill – two teams playing and the third doing fitness work.
In Tucson, the Sounders were joined by Supplemental Draft selection Kevin Durr and non-roster invitee Mikael Silvestre. Durr, a 21-year-old midfielder out of the Air Force Academy, had 18 goals and 19 assists in 77 career college matches. Silvestre, 35, is a former French National Team center back who won five Premier League titles at Manchester United. He also played for Inter Milan, Arsenal and Werder Bremen in his 16 seasons in Europe.
The Sounders are awaiting the arrivals of Michael Gspurning, Osvaldo Alonso, Mario Martinez and Eddie Johnson. Gspurning will join the team on Tuesday after welcoming his second child and first son on Sunday. Alonso and Johnson were away at MLS marketing events in Miami and New York, respectively, and will both rejoin the team before their first match of the Desert Diamond Cup on Wednesday. Martinez is attending a personal matter and is also expected before Wednesday’s match against the New England Revolution.
Kino will play host to the Sounders FC, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls over the next two weeks with the Desert Diamond Cup tournament acting as the centerpiece event to the two-week training stint.
The first day focused around an 8v8 possession drill with three teams rotating through the drill – two teams playing and the third doing fitness work.
In Tucson, the Sounders were joined by Supplemental Draft selection Kevin Durr and non-roster invitee Mikael Silvestre. Durr, a 21-year-old midfielder out of the Air Force Academy, had 18 goals and 19 assists in 77 career college matches. Silvestre, 35, is a former French National Team center back who won five Premier League titles at Manchester United. He also played for Inter Milan, Arsenal and Werder Bremen in his 16 seasons in Europe.
The Sounders are awaiting the arrivals of Michael Gspurning, Osvaldo Alonso, Mario Martinez and Eddie Johnson. Gspurning will join the team on Tuesday after welcoming his second child and first son on Sunday. Alonso and Johnson were away at MLS marketing events in Miami and New York, respectively, and will both rejoin the team before their first match of the Desert Diamond Cup on Wednesday. Martinez is attending a personal matter and is also expected before Wednesday’s match against the New England Revolution.
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