BRADENTON, Fla. — So much for sunny Florida.
Louisville City FC’s players returned to the training field just before 8 a.m. Wednesday to driving wind and rain at IMG Academy. After drilling on attacking shape and philosophy, they finished with a rondo, soccer’s version of keep away.
The storm’s intensity picked back up, pushing a team on a neighboring pitch to seek cover. Coach James O’Connor, in the rondo himself, didn’t let up.
“I think people know by now that if we’re training, we’re training,” he said. “We could be in a hurricane but still need to get our work done. There was fantastic attitude from the players.”
Coming out of Tuesday’s scrimmage, O’Connor said his players are sore, and he’s managing that as two weeks of preseason training near their end. The toughest conditioning is done.
“It moves on now, from attacking principles to defensive principles we’ll touch on as well,” O’Connor said. “It’s trying to teach the new guys a philosophy and expectation for where to be, which takes time. There will be a lot of that over the next couple of days.”
McCabe getting back to form
LouCity’s first preseason tune-up comes March 4 — a week from Saturday — against NCAA Division II Young Harris. Niall McCabe intends to see the field against his alma mater.
McCabe, who was shut down late in 2016 for season-ending hip surgery, received clearance recently from a team doctor and went the distance in Tuesday’s scrimmage at IMG.
“Obviously I’m not as fit as the rest of the boys who have been playing soccer all offseason, but I’m getting through all the exercises,” the midfielder said. “I just need to get the sharpness and power back and hopefully be able to play some games.”
A native of Ireland, McCabe hasn’t been back home to see his family since Christmas — in 2015. He remained in Louisville during the offseason for daily rehab work, often in the gym and pool.
McCabe registered 2 goals and 4 assists in 2016, starring in the attacking midfield before injured.
“I think it’s gone better than expected,” the midfielder said of his preseason. “I’ve had a few sore days when I had to take it down a bit, but I’ve completed the main work. I’m pleased with how it’s gone.”
Ballard settling in
The first Louisville native to sign with LouCity is handling the transition from college standout to professional rookie well.
Richard Ballard, a Manual High School graduate, played striker in his final season with Indiana University. O’Connor positioned Ballard on the wing in the club’s first scrimmage this week.
“It’s a little bit faster than college, but I feel like I was very well prepared, and I’m fitting in well,” Ballard said.
IU’s top-flight training prepared Ballard for the next level, where a number of his former teammates will also play in 2017. He has also signed on to a LouCity roster where relationships extend off the field.
“The intensity is really high, and we’re working hard,” Ballard said. “But it’s going to pay off. It’s a great group of guys, and they’ve all been welcoming. The camaraderie — it’s there.”
