Colorado Rapid forward Herculez Gomez will be checking in periodically with us here at The Original Winger about surgical recovery, pre-season and roommates with computers.
Well, here we are in Miami, been here for already a week and I already want to leave!
Let me explain, we aren’t really in Miami, we are in Sunrise, Florida. In this sports specific hotel, made for soccer. About thirty feet in front of us is our training pitch.
Around us there is a Saturn dealership, a Wal-Mart, and a Burger King. (This could be trouble for some)
Training has been good so far. I myself have been joining in, doing whatever I can to get back healthy (I suffered an ACL tear last September) and really enjoying being back on the pitch with the boys.
We had our first taste of actual game play yesterday against a local university FAU.
It was a typical preseason game. Players were working out the “kinks” trying to impress the Head Coach. Very rough game, as the FAU players were also trying to impress.
The game was dived into three thirty minute periods. This usually allows the Coaching Staff to get everyone some quality time and also allows them to experiment a little.
The match ended 0-0. A hard fought FAU victory. Universities live for these games.
I was impressed with a few players though. Ciaran O’Brien, a rookie out of Santa Barbara really impressed me with his skill on the ball and high work rate. Frequently trying to spring players through to goal, and looking dangerous him self in the box. Also turning heads this camp is back up keeper Justin Hughes, who is number two only to Senegalese keeper Bouna Condoul. When called upon he was up for the task, making big plays seem routine.
If any of you are wondering what our days consist of here I will tell you; Usually Breakfast is at 8am! (Sorry I am not a morning person) Training at 10 -11:30 am. My roommate Ugo Ihemelu, will then proceed to play Jetman, on his computer from 12:00-12:55pm. Lunch 1:00pm. Get back at 1:30 pm. 1:31-3:55 pm. Ugo, goes back to Jetman/ Facebook, till our second session at 4:00pm. Training will end around 5:30pm.
5:31-6:55 pm. Ugo, goes back to Jetman/ Facebook. 7:00pm dinner.
7:30 pm rolls around and Ugo, decides to put his computer down and we get our Jack Bauer in! 24, it’s an amazing show and apparently the only thing that can sway Ugo away from his Computer.
We have a busy week lined up with more double days and game to follow. (Hopefully not too many)
I will check back with you guys next week to share some more of our pain.
-Herculez Gomez
[image via Isiphotos]
