Welcome everyone to a new segment on Outer Roses! While we don’t have a podcast releasing this week, we were able to attend practice and would like to share some notes with all of you. In today’s recap, we will cover what we saw in open training and highlights with the press conference featuring Coach Phil Neville and Max Crepeau.
The team started training today with stretching, sprints, and quick passing drills. Some notable absences from training today were Diego Chara, Antony, David Ayala, and Claudio Bravo. All three international call-ups were back with the team and training today (Crepeau, Miller, Araujo).
After the quick warm-up session, the team broke out into two groups; the first was a defensive unit with Max Crepeau in goal. This unit focused on passing and building out of the back; working the ball around with movement and holding possession.
The second group was the attacking side. Without Diego Chara or David Ayala in open practice today, the midfield consisted of Williamson and Paredes playing the double pivot with Evander as the 10. Muse and Pantemis played in goal; alternating every few minutes. Here are some of the interesting takeaways from the drills:
- Nathan played out wide rather than lining up in the middle; Felipe and Jonathan lined up as the alternating strikers. Midway through the drill, Nathan and Jonathan switched with Jonathan playing the left wing; alternating with Asprilla. We’ve heard about Jonathan playing multiple positions; it’s nice to see him getting opportunities already in practice (as well as Nathan getting opportunities outside striker).
- Felipe isn’t 100% yet, but he’s getting close. He had some excellent goals, including an absolute smash of a volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar.
- Evander getting more forward and crashing the box as a second runner looks dangerous; looked like a different player today compared to the last few games.
- Coaching was stressing finishing in this drill; this is not a surprise since the team has struggled in the last two games to convert their chances.
After the rain started to dump down a bit more (it is Portland in March after all), practice wrapped up and we got to sit down for a press conference with Coach Phil Neville. Here are some of the highlights from our time with Phil:
- Spoke of the result against Philly being a big disappointment. Felt the team dominated the game in the opening periods but fell into the Union’s game plan. Need to be more clinical in the chances we’re given; the Union were just waiting for defensive mistakes and capitalized on them.
- The focus of the week has been on concentration, finishing, and putting together the final product.
- Mentions that you learn a lot about your team from a few losses than going unbeaten; allows learning more about the personalities and leaders within the team when things aren’t going your way. Also helps identify where there are still gaps within the team and who can be depended on when facing adversity. States that this week is another challenge to face that adversity against a big rival.
- Speaking about DP’s, states that there shouldn’t be an adaptation period for them for the most part. The expectation is at the DP spot, you’re bringing a professional who can perform on the field. There still is an adaptation but cites learning the style of play, the language barrier, and dealing with personal adaptions like being away from family.
- Phil is confident that Jonathan is going to score a lot of goals in this league, and can overcome the language barrier and other obstacles by leading by example on the field. Wants him to “grab the team by the scruff of the neck and lead this team”.
- In response to a question about what he’s looking forward to being part of his first Cascadia Cup match, mentions that when he first got here, a TA member said “You can lose all the games next season, but don’t lose against Vancouver and Seattle”. Knows this was mostly tongue in cheek, but also stressed the importance of what the Cascadia Cup and the rivalry means to the fans and the city.
- Spoke very highly of Vancouver, mentioned they are a very strong group from front to back, and expects a great atmosphere this weekend.
We also had the pleasure of speaking with GK Max Crepeau; who will be playing against his former club in Vancouver this weekend for the first time as a Timber. Below are some of the highlights from the conversation with Max:
- Mentions that he will see some familiar faces from his three years as a Whitecap, but is more focused on how the team will respond after the last two games. Has spent the week reviewing what went wrong in Houston and against Philly, and wants to see the response from the team this week on the road.
- Watched the game against Philadelphia from his hotel room; said it was 9 pm and it’s very different watching the game on TV versus live. Although the team plan didn’t work out, reminds everyone that we’re only 5 games into the season, and it’s a long road.
- Very proud of qualifying for Copa America; says that it’s a great opportunity for them to prepare for the next World Cup by getting quality games.
- When asked about how different this weekend’s game will be playing for a different Cascadian team (has played against Vancouver before but not representing another Cascadian team), he says the preparation is still the same. Has the same routine but expects to get some heat from the home fans.
- When speaking about Jonathan joining the team, says that he’s ruthless in the box and is always finishing his actions. He does all the extra things you want in a striker and is hungry to press forward.
- In response to a question about what this team needs to do to get a clean sheet, noted that they need to clean up the collective errors and chains of mistakes that lead to goals. Clean up those moments and stay focused for 90 minutes. Also mentions that when the team does get that clean sheet, they will be hungry to get more and build that confidence. Stresses the most important thing is getting 3 points though.
And that’s all we have for this week! Tune in next week for our weekly podcast and more training coverage.