OFF DAY
Following the Black & Gold’s 3-0 victory over Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center on Saturday, Crew boss Robert Warzycha gave his players Sunday afternoon and Monday off. The team is remaining on the West Coast in advance of Saturday’s match in Vancouver, and the guys sampled the best of Los Angeles in that span.
Several players and coaches attended Sunday’s LA Galaxy match against longstanding Crew rival Chicago, while others took in different sporting events.
Crew rookie Ryan Finley attended the Los Angeles Lakers’ game on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.
“I went to the game with my dad and my sister because they were in town for business,” said the former Notre Dame striker. “Kobe [Bryant] is my favorite player and I think he had around 30 points that day – it was an awesome experience.”
For others, a more low-key day was in order.
“I went to the Aquarium of the Pacific, and man those otters are cute,” said Crew netminder Andy Gruenebaum after a trip to Long Beach on Monday.
“The seals were good too – they don’t let you take them home, but they are adorable.”
When asked if the local wildlife was more adorable than
, Gruenebaum was firm, “No chance. Nothing is cuter that Roo.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO VANCOUVER
The Crew resumed training on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills on Tuesday morning, adjacent to the Home Depot Center. Rather than traveling back to Columbus only to turn around once more and head to the Pacific Northwest, the Crew is set to practice in Los Angeles through Thursday.
“It’s good to be back on the training field after a day off spending time with friends and family,” said Gruenebaum. “It’s always better to be back out here after a win, and now we’re just getting ready for Saturday.”
The Black & Gold face a Whitecaps FC team coming off a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC on opening weekend. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX Sports Ohio). Warzycha’s side will attempt to secure a maximum six points from the team’s season-opening West Coast swing before returning to home soil for the
March 16 clash with San Jose at Crew Stadium
.
