The Black & Gold began a grueling stretch of two-a-day training sessions Friday morning at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The team took part in possession and shooting drills before capping the two-hour practice off with an 11-on-11 scrimmage.
Despite an afternoon session lurking ahead, every player brought his own intensity to the morning training.
"The whole idea is to make [the players] work hard," Head Coach Robert Warzycha said. "Obviously, it's different weather than in Columbus, so they have to adjust a little bit. We need to get our work done here, but I think everybody has a good attitude and they're working very hard."
"I think we had a good tempo," added second-year midfielder Ethan Finlay. "I think the whole preseason thus far has been high level, good energy. Obviously, just starting off the touches haven't been the cleanest yet. We're getting used to playing on the grass, which is great. Everyone from the trialists to the older guys like Chad [Marshall] and Eddie [Gaven] are working hard. It's good to have everyone working hard because it makes for an easier preseason."
In the aforementioned shooting drills, 2012 MLS Newcomer of the Year Federico Higuaín impressed his teammates, coaches and Equipment Manager Rusty Wummel alike by hitting the back of the net from the top of the penalty area on nearly every attempt. After one goal, Wummel sunk to one knee to shine Higuaín's cleats as a celebration.
The Crew will take to the practice fields at IMG for its afternoon training around 4:00 p.m. ET.
