Seattle Sounders To Train In Argentina

The Sounders have completed their Seattle-based training and now prepare for their next phase of preseason training in anticipation of their 2009 home season opener.

Jan 30, 2009 11:18:34 PM

More On :  Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid (J. Zielonka)

SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid was pleased at the progress made by his expansion team after their second week of preseason training in Seattle. “It’s getting better,” Schmid said. “The team is getting fitter and has a better understanding of what we’re doing. Every day the cohesion between the coaching staff develops further.”

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The squad now moves on to warmer climates in Ventura, California and Argentina. “It’s coming together ok,” Schmid said. “At this stage there is still a lot of competition. After we get through Ventura, the real bonding and meshing will occur in Argentina. Each day guys become more comfortable and relaxed.”

In Ventura, the focus will be to build up the team’s fitness and game readiness. The plan for the first week’s training in California is to take the players to another level of fitness. In the second phase of training, the Sounders will play a number of training games, including against the L.A. Galaxy and Chinese side Shandon Luneng.

The games will provide the Sounders coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate their 30 man roster against live competition. Schmid stressed the need to compete against other teams to be able to compare and evaluate his expansion squad before moving on to Argentina on February 27. The Sounders plan to play four dates against unknown competitors and return to U.S. soil on March 5.

As for his goals for the 2009 season, Schmid said “My expectation is always the same and that is to win the championship. That’s what I expect from my team. I’m a big believer that once you set that goal, you also have to set short terms goals.” He listed the need to determine what kind of team the Sounders will be offensively, defensively, on the road and when their opponents get a lead.

When asked about what to expect in Seattle’s first MLS game on March 19 against the New York Red Bulls, Schmid was optimistic, “We’re going to surprise you a little bit.”

The Sounders have sold 19,000 season tickets and expect a sellout crowd of 24,500 at for their 2009 season home opener.

John Zielonka, Goal.com


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