Bravos training for 2010 season
McALLEN — In its first season, RGV Bravos FC won six games and came within one victory of the playoffs. Perhaps one thing the Bravos lacked was toughness, and that’s what they’ve been addressing during their first week of training camp.
Instead of starting camp at a more traditional setting, the Bravos are beginning their season in the parking lot of Ranger-CrossFit in McAllen, doing resistance training. Rather than running on grass, the Bravos are doing their laps on a parking lot with a few potholes and no lighting. No soccer balls are around, instead replaced by medicine balls and weight lifting bars.
The early training is somewhat similar to what they did last year, but they aren’t being trained by coach Ismael Moreira Braga. Rather, they are working under Miguel de la Fuente, who also owns his own gym.
The experience is one Bravos players haven’t gone through before, and one they think they need to make the PDL playoffs.
“We’re going to be way more tougher than last year because of this type of workout,” defender Pablo Degollado said. “I think for the type of league we play in, it’s perfect.
“We play against guys that are really physical. This type of workout is really going to help.”
At times last season, the Bravos were overmatched physically by both their opponent and the schedule. In a league that often features games on consecutive days in different cities, the Bravos learned what kind of shape they need to be in to succeed.
The training, which Degollado agreed at times looked like “torture,” cannot hurt.
“We know it’s going to be painful. But if it isn’t painful, we’re not working good enough,” Degollado said. “We know that at the end of the season when that last game comes and we’ve qualified for the playoffs, it’s all going to be worth it.”
Midfielder Damian Lopez is thinking the same thing as Degollado.
“It’s pretty intense,” Lopez said. “But at the end, if we do it right, it’s going to pay off when we win games.”
CORNER KICKS: The Bravos open their season April 30 at the Laredo Heat. … Forward Jesus Mireles is not training with the Bravos. Mireles, who broke his right fibula last June during a game against the Heat, is still recovering from the injury. Before last season, Mireles left Hidalgo and gave up his amateur status to sign with the Bravos.
Brian Sandalow covers Rio Grande Valley Bravos FC for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.
