Similar to other long trips the team has done for preseason, Iāll be updating a daily journal to let you know whatās going down in Spain. Thanks for tagging along!
Friday, February 9 - 11:43 p.m.
Since the last preseason friendly was moved up a day yesterday, we received an unexpected off day today (aside from a morning gym session for the players). A big group of players and staff bussed to Malaga to check out the Picasso museum and walk around the historic town.
Itās time to pack up, though, weāre leaving for the airport at 4:30 a.m. tomorrow! Letās get the season started.
Thursday, February 8 - 7:33 p.m.
We had a pair of friendlies today vs. Odense BK ā a Danish team who is mid-season ā and it was a bit of a wake-up call after our previous two results. The first match ended in a 3-0 defeat, while the second one was a 2-1 loss. The highlight of the day was a stunning chip from RĆ”ul RuidĆaz.
It was the first time the players have gone a full 90 minutes in 2024. And even though the results were a bummer, fitness was the key objective today.
Wednesday, February 7 - 11:10 p.m.
It was quite the showing for the birthday boy!
Pedro de la Vegaās training session started with getting slapped by his teammates through a tunnel and ended with a highly entertaining interview alongside Danny Leyva, but itās all about what happened in between that was most impressive. During a 6v6 drill, I believe every goal from his team was either scored or assisted by Pedro. He just finds an extra gear with the ball and I canāt wait to see him get going when the season starts.
Our final friendly in Marbella has been bumped up a day to tomorrow, so today is actually our last training full day in Spain. Now Iām getting sad... this camp has been a blast.
Tuesday, February 6 - 8:13 p.m.
The squad returned to the training ground this morning for another session. It seemed to go a bit quicker than our trainings last week ā maybe I was just enjoying sitting in the sunshine. it was capped off by a highly entertaining 6v6 drill, including a goal from newcomer Pedro de la Vega.
A bit of personal commentary here ā Iāve been super impressed with the vibe around the team all camp long. I think the returners were all excited to be back in Marbella, and the newcomers have done well to fit in. From big laughs during meals to competitive training sessions to fun team events, itās a good group who have enjoyed themselves. The MLS season is coming quick and I canāt wait to see what this team does.
Monday, February 5 - 11:21 p.m.
Itās off day! No required meals, no training, and no meetings ā itās the only day of the trip with nothing work-related on the agenda for anyone on the trip.
A couple groups went golfing at one of the fantastic courses nearby. I heard a few others made their way to Sevilla for a day trip, while others opted to walk around Old Town Marbella. I ended up in Gibraltar and saw monkeys. 10/10 experience, did not disappoint.
Sunday, February 4 - 6:57 p.m.
Happy Matchday! The squad earned a 3-0 victory (over 135 minutes) vs. Swedish side IFK Norrkƶping in Marbella. Albert RusnĆ”k, LĆ©o ChĆŗ and Dylan Teves scored the goals for Seattle for our second win of the preseason in as many matches.
After a quick break at the hotel, everyone freshened up and weāre about to head out the door for a team dinner! Weāve always enjoyed these meals off-site, especially in other countries, and I expect the food to be spectacularā¦. And probably some spontaneous musical performances along the way.
Saturday, February 3 - 9:28 p.m.
Itās once again āMatchday -1ā, meaning the team had a shorter session ahead of tomorrowās preseason scrimmage vs. IFK Norrkƶping at the Marbella Football Center (watch the scrimmage LIVE courtesy of the Marbella Football center: http://sndrs.com/fbj0dsly).
Todayās conditions were - dare I say it - a bit chilly, with the wind picking up and the sun staying mostly behind clouds. The squad played some 6v6 matches with small goals, then moved over to the bigger goals for a fast-paced shooting drill. Obed Vargas, Jordan Morris, Snyder Brunell, and Georgi Minoungou each scored.
Afterwards, the team begrudgingly did a pool session at the hotel. As nice as it may look in photos with fence-lined palm trees, the pool isnāt heatedā¦ and with the temperature in the high 50s with wind, it felt more like a polar plunge than a relaxing dip. Either way, there ended up being lots of smiles and splashes by the end of the activation.
Friday, February 2 - 10:43 p.m.
Weāre at the halfway point of our trip here in Spain, and, thankfully, the sun came out to join us.
Todayās training session featured some fast-paced, small-field goals where they continued to work on attacking movements and their upfield shape progression. Itās apparent that finding ways to score more goals has been an emphasis of camp. The session wrapped up with a finishing drill, with strikers and midfielders working on their one-time finishes on crosses from the wing.
After dinner, we had our second annual Spain trivia night (hosted by yours truly and a PR staffer!!!). The players all seemed to have enjoyed it - especially the Pictionary and charades rounds - and the team comprising Jordan Morris, Jacob Castro, Reed Baker-Whiting, Xavier Arreaga, Sota Kitahara, Jon Bell, and Danny Musovski claimed the victory.
Thursday, February 1 - 10:13 p.m.
After yesterdayās friendly, the squad had a recovery session in the morning, and then they were off the hook the rest of the day. I heard murmurs of a few veterans hitting the golf course in the afternoon, while some of the young guys jetted off to Old Town Marbella to check out the sights. Dinner was on our own, as well ā I canāt speak for the players, but I joined a couple staff members for paella (pork ribs, chorizo, bell peppers), garlic bread, and a local red wine. It was just as delicious as you could imagine!
Wednesday, January 31 - 7:12 p.m.
At long last, we played soccer! Today featured a pair of 60-minute friendlies vs. Serbian side BaÄka at Marbella Training Center.
You can find a longer recap HERE.
In short, we tied the first match 1-1, then won the second scrimmage 2-1. The dayās highlight occurred on the last play of match, when LĆ©o ChĆŗ sent a cross into the area, Jordan Morris dummied and left the ball for a charging Albert RusnĆ”k, who then knocked home the game-winning goal in the final minute.
One of my favorite parts of preseason soccer is how the rest of the team sits in the stands to watch the match and even occasionally cheer as fans. After an impressive through ball, it felt like most of the roster bursted out in āwell done, Danny!ā cheers and claps.
Tuesday, January 30 - 3:35 p.m.
We had our first special guest of the trip join us at camp today: Erik Friberg!
The former Sounder midfielder is now the Head of Scouting at BK HƤcken, a Swedish club that also has a camp nearby. It was great to see him chop it up with the coaches and team staff who were around for his playing stints at the club - in 2011 and again from 2015-2016. The highlight came after training, when Friberg did on-camera interviews (and had off-camera conversations) with his former teammates: Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, and Stefan Frei. Itās always fun to see familiar faces around the squad and watch how excited they are to see one another.
Also spotted after training todayā¦ a very intense ping-pong battle between Nathan and JoĆ£o Paulo in the player lounge. LĆ©o ChĆŗ was there, of course, providing a one-man cheering section for both sides.
Monday, January 29 - 9:04 p.m.
The first overcast day of the trip gave big Seattle vibes. Clouds rolled in and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees to the low 60s today, which I am sure was welcomed by the players after yesterdayās double session. Todayās drills including some 11 v. 11 work, followed by a special focus on scoring off set pieces.
This afternoon was all about film sessions and rest for the players, including visits to the hotelās sauna and cold plunges at the pool. A couple of us on staff ventured into the Old Town neighborhood of Marbella, which was one of our favorite spots last year and it was great to visit again. I am sure we will be back soon!
Sunday, January 28 - 9:09 p.m.
The first two-a-days training session is in the books.
We started and ended the day at Marbella Training Center, as the guys did several short-sided drills with high intensity in the morning and focused on offensive movement and shooting in the evening. It can be tough to pinpoint a standout performer with so many fast-paced drills, but the leadership and composure from Cristian Roldan has been on full display.
We ended the day with a free-kick drill with the whole squad standing behind the shooters. The stars of the show were Albert RusnĆ”k, Danny Leyva, and RaĆŗl RuidĆaz, each of whom scored from distance.
Saturday, January 27 - 8:44 p.m.Ā
The vibes are vibing!
We started the day with a team walk down to the Marbella Football Center, where we will be training for the next two weeks. The grass is pristine, the weather is perfect, and the guys were in good spirits after a long travel day. In the afternoon, a few of us on staff did another walk to the nearby town of San Pedro, a beautiful community with sandy beaches on the Alboran Sea.
Due to the players' rest schedule, the staff opted for an evening training. It was all pretty light ahead of a double session tomorrow, although afterwards a lot of the players stayed around and participated (or heckled) in a heated game of soccer tennis. Team RuidĆaz/Vargas/Rothrock barely defeated Team Arreaga/Leyva/Kossa-Rienzi (MLS SuperDraft pick) for the victory, with LĆ©o ChĆ¹ leading the player cheering section.
Friday, January 26 - 5:45 p.m.
We have ARRIVED.
After a long travel day that went from Seattle to Frankfurt to Malaga, and then a bus ride to Marbella, the team arrived to the hotel to start our preseason camp. Weāll be here for the next 15 days to get the squad ready for the 2024 MLS campaign.