Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman trains during the first day of voluntary individual training at the RSL Academy on Thursday, May 7, 2020. RSL practiced at the Orlando bubble for the first time Monday, in anticipation of the upcoming MLS is Back Tournament. | Provided Tyler Gibbons, Real Salt Lake
Zack MacMath said players are being tested for COVID-19 every other day, while Kyle Beckerman has mixed feelings about the MLS is Back Tournament
SALT LAKE CITY — Less than 48 hours in Orlando, and tears have already been shed for Real Salt Lake — COVID-19 testing tears that is.
“It goes back in there pretty deep, kind of waters your eyes up a little bit. We definitely got some players coming out of there crying a little bit,” said RSL keeper Zach MacMath after the test was administered.
The key, MacMath said, to limit the discomfort of the swab going up the sinus passageway is getting the right nurse.
“After the first few guys go you kind of get a vibe on which nurse you want to go to. In reality it’s not too bad,” said MacMath.
Players at the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando — which gets underway Wednesday — expect to be tested every other day during the duration of the tournament. RSL arrived in Florida on Saturday night in anticipation of its first game this Sunday (8:30 p.m., ESPN) against rival Colorado.
The team held its first training session in Orlando on Monday morning, following the protocols set forward by the league. The players wore masks on the bus ride from the hotel to the practice fields, and continued to wear them until they stepped onto the training field.
RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said it’s pretty similar to what the team had been doing in Utah previously so it’s not that big of an adjustment.
Real Salt Lake will remain in Orlando until at least July 22, and perhaps longer if it advances out of a Group D and into the knockout round after its three group games.
For now though, Beckerman said the trip has seemed pretty normal despite being confined in the MLS bubble at the hotel.
“A lot of it does feel like a normal road trip, there’s just a lot of unknown we have in our minds. We’re just trying to do all the right things to just stay safe, we’re putting a lot of trust in the league to make sure we’re safe. Just follow the protocol and all goes well,” said Beckerman.
The tournament officially kicks off on Wednesday night with host Orlando City taking on expansion Miami. Even though the tournament’s official start is just around the corner, Beckerman still has some doubt about it.
“It’s a strange time ’cause on the one hand you’re focused to get ready for the tournament and get pumped up and get excited for it, because the tournament sounds a lot of fun, World Cup style. But on the other hand you’re thinking, is this even going to happen. So there’s mixed emotions going on,” said Beckerman.
Already one match at the MLS is Back Tournament has been delayed. FC Dallas and Vancouver were scheduled to play their first group game on Thursday, but it’s been pushed back to a later date. FC Dallas had six players test positive for COVID-19 on June 27, and Vancouver wasn’t scheduled to arrive in Orlando until Monday after its initial departure last week was delayed because of inconclusive COVID-19 tests.
The potential for future delays is possible, but MacMath said he’s trying to focus on preparing for the Rapids this Sunday.
“At this point we’re just trying to make the best of it, like any other game or any other tournament. Just get excited for the tournament and to be playing soccer again. Obviously there’s plenty of things to worry about once you’re off the field, but once we’re on the field just working together and trying to find the best chemistry to play Colorado next week,” said MacMath.
from Deseret News https://ift.tt/3iDAo9R
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario