Jackson McCabe's Soccer Life: Day 2 -- June 18, 2013

This morning we did fitness testing in order to get a baseline for our fitness at the start of camp. Fitness testing this morning was 20 meter sprints, then a cone drill to test our agility, and finally we did SPARQ testing to gauge our endurance. SQARQ testing is running twenty meters there and back, and then resting for ten seconds before going again. The hard part about this was that the pace increased every single time. I got to level 21, which was very good for my first time. My goal is to get between 25 and 30 by the end of camp.

Today was Taco Tuesday, which is everyone’s favorite day at the training center. They have a make your own taco station, taco salads made to order, and pork enchiladas. Everything is absolutely delicious.

This afternoon we played a scrimmage with the entire team. The scrimmage consisted of two small goals on either side, with the field split into three sections. We were only allowed a maximum of two touches, and you had to score from your attacking third of the field. My team was down after the first fifteen minute period, but we were able to fight back and we ended up winning 6-5. I scored twice and got one assist.

Watching the game in the dining hall

Tonight we watched the USA vs Honduras game as a team in the dining hall. While we were watching we had to take notes on everything that the US was doing, from their shape to their plan of attack to how they defended in the backfield. Thankfully our boys were able to get a 1-0 win thanks to a clinical finish from Jozy Altidore in the 73rd minute. The fact that they were able to get a win means that they have all but locked up their bid to qualify for the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in 2014. This win also takes some of the pressure off of them for their upcoming qualifier against Mexico in July.