NW Sports PT at the World Cup

Not Quite the Ending We Hoped For?

2006-06-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

As I sit in my room in Hamburg, disappointed and tired I reflect on the 4 years of hard work it was to get to this point. For the players, coaches, staff and their families this has come to an all too swift finish. How can it be that just a slip by our captain and a horrendous penalty against Gooch could squash our spirit so? It makes it worse thinking how close we were to a match with Brazil in the second round.

Some have said that not making the second round will be a setback for US Soccer. However it is their naivete that prevents them from realizing that soccer in the US continues to prosper. It is with this naivete that they fail to understand the complexity of the World Cup. The difficulty in playing countries who live and die by their national teams. The experience of teams like the Czech Republic and Italy, and the passion of Ghanains who are not only playing for Ghana but according to their players and coaches, for the entire continent of Africa.

This is not a simple task, but were it simple then it would fail to capture the hopes and dreams of nations of people.

Disappointed but proud to have been a part of it, and hopeful of another chance to work for four years just for the chance to do it all again.

Heading to Nurnburg to Face Ghana

2006-06-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

This is (from left Ching, Gooch, myself and Dempsey) loading the charter for Nurnburg.

The players are in good spirits and good physical shape after two days of recovery and treaments, with no players out due to injury. However we will be without Eddie Pope and Pablo Mastroeni after red card suspension against Italy. Let's hope that they will see the field again in this World Cup. That would be against world champions Brazil who have clinched top spot in group F.

We will be ready with new players in the starting lineup who are anxious to prove their worth. We haven't scored an offensive goal in the tournament and know we must now do that in order to move into the knock-out phase of the World Cup. The excitement in the German cities is palpable with fans from all locations gathering in the central squares to watch their favorite team. The nationalism is something that the US popular sports fan only see's from his cities' standpoint rather than from the national pride that gives those involved goose bumps as their flag is hoisted and their national anthem is played and sung.

These boys will give it their very best, make sure you are watching!!

Bruce

A Passion to Live Another Day!

2006-06-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

What a night in K-town! With one of the most passionate performances that I have seen in my 10 years with the National Team, the USA stayed alive by drawing despite playing with nine men for 46 minutes.

After this hard fought tie, the medical staff used all means to rehydrate players who were exhausted after chasing the game at such a dramatic pace. Immediately they were given fluids, Gatorade and protein shakes.

After the game we flew directly back from Ramstein AFB to Hamburg, arriving at our hotel about 2:30AM. Today is off for the players with treatments continuing. With Pablo and Eddie Pope out due to red card suspentions, we will have some new faces in the lineup against Ghana. Let's hope we have the same spirit as against the Italians. (Root for the Italians as well as they can help us with a win.)

Keep watching and sending your comments, they're much appreciated.

Bruce

To K-town to Battle the Italians

2006-06-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

Well, we are off to Kaiserslautern in the next hour or so, but not before ressurecting our spirit and pride. A good couple of days of training and conversations among the team seems to have us all on track. Apparently the media back in the States has a few of us feuding, but that doesn't seem to me to be the case. I think the team is ready to give a better performance against Italy.

We continue to have good fortune on the injury front with all our players available for selection to start. How many changes to the first lineup only Bruce Arena knows.

Here in K-town we are going to stay at the Ramstien Air Force Base which should ensure some good old American cooking, not that our chefs in Hamburg are anything to sneeze at.

I hope all of you will get the chance to watch the game saturday and cheer the Americans on!!

Bruce

OUCH!!

2006-06-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, not what er were expecting or hoping for. A 3-0 loss puts us in a hole but we are not out of it yet! After the game we had a very quiet flight back "home" to Hamburg, arriving about 12:30 am. The players were disappointed but not pointing fingers. There is tomorrow, which is Italy on Saturday. After Italy's 2-0 win over Ghana, it is nearly a must win situation. A draw keeps us alive but still behind the 8-ball, whereas a win against Italy puts us in a great position.

The starting 11 were in the pool for a post game workout today, while those needing some work went to the practice field. Because of that Dave took the team out to practice while I stayed with the players for the pool workout.

It remains hot here in Germany and the excitement also remains. Today we lick our wounds but tonight we begin the task of preparing to play one of the great football nations of the world. I believe the Americans will step up to the plate on Saturday. Look for a 1-0 game with someone converting their opportunity. Let's hope they are wearing the US jersey!!

Bruce

Arrival in Gelsenkirchen!!

2006-06-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

After training yesterday we packed up our gear and headed for the airport. We flew charter flight to Dortman airport, about a 50 minute flight. We then bussed to our new temporary home at the Sheraton Hotel in Essen.

It just seems that the World Cup has now begun! Games are going on with the players and staff as "more than interested" observers. Today we practice at the stadium and go over all the small details of Bruce Arena's game plan. Players watch film of the Czechs and their individual opponents, and treatments for all the minor ailments continue so that the players may be at their best.

The next two days will be something! Three points would start us off great.

Bruce

Day Off??!!

2006-06-07T02:46:00.000-07:00

A day off training for the players today doesn't mean a day off for the trainers as we near the first World Cup game. Treatments will be throughout the day as we make sure everyone is healthy and ready for the last push towards the Czech Republic on the 12th. Our final hard fitness workout was held yesterday and the players sailed through it. With the day off they now will recharge their collective batteries both physically and mentally.

Today's only obligation (other than therapy) is a meeting with the mayor this afternoon.

Supe (Dave) and I were able to take a couple of hours off yesterday to tour the downtown area of the "Venice of the North"-Hamburg. It is quite a beautifull city, with lakes rivers and canals. It was really nice to see the sun for a change!

If you have any questions feel free to post them and we'll do our best to get to them.

5 days to the Czechs!

Bruce

Here to stay

2006-06-05T19:34:00.001-07:00

Hello from Germany. The US MNT made it to Hamburg in style as we flew a charter plane with 42 business class seats the 8 hours into hamburg from New York. The flight was not a bad way to get here. We arrrived early in the morning hour to a group of fans and of course media attention. We also were well surrounded with security. Not as much as in Korea but a presence that was visible. We bussed to our home the Park Hyatt, Hamburg. With a police escourt and all side streets and main streets blocked while we drove from the airport to the hotel we arrived safely and in a timely fashion. We were directed to our rooms and had our first meal at home. The food was very good and the hotel is very nice. The players rested for a few hours as the medical staff checked out all the facilities the hotel had to offer. This will be a good place to base operations as it is in the heart of the city with some things to offer close by the Hotel. The training room is big enough for a player lounge and of course out Physical therapy department. We got busy with treatments and taping for training that afternoon as HSV training facility.
Our floor is secure with CIA and German policia. We are able to get out but must let someone know where and when we leave. I think the hotel hates us when we leave as the people in the hotel cannot leave or enter while we are in the process of leaving. The streets are closed down and the escort is huge. Motorcycle and armed gaurds and of course the SWAT team leads the way sirens blaring and all the people on the street stop and stare, wave and some give us dirty looks and we've even seen the bird fly now and then. The traffic is blocked by the motorcycles while the SWAT vehicles of 5 or 6 lead and follow. The trip has been different every day as we travel to training and back. It takes about 30 mins to get there. The training facility is nice and the fields are perfect. We are now on day 5 and we only have a Chechs. We have had some injuries and missed practice but overall we are doing well. John O'Brien continues to improve and Beasley gets better but has not practiced on his contused foot. He had another x-ray and MRI on the foot to r/o any thing bad. All negative but the pain is still there. I believe he will be ready soon to train and prepare for the first game. Otherwise just alot of treatment and massage for the 23 players here. We are busy most of the day and well into the night. The jet lag is now out of most of us and we are getting used to the time change. The first couple days were hard with early mornings and late nights. So all is well here, we are settling in and getting ready to start. The cup begins in only 3 days. We will talk later and see you on the tube. David

First Day "In Country"

2006-06-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

Well, after my arrival and setting up the training room and getting caught up on the time zone "thing", the team arrived today. I seemed to be the chipper one with most of the group completely jet lagged even after their charter flight.

We trained in the afternoon to get the travel out of their legs. They have to push through their fatigue early which makes the next few training sessions better.

The players and staff were very impressed with our headquarters here in Hamburg and most seemed to take advantage of the sauna, hot tub and ice baths. Like usual the trainers were kept busy most of the night. The training room ends up being a gathering place for players away from training.

I think most of the players are ready for this final week or so of preparations and the Czech Republic on the 12th!

Bruce

Leaving Day

2006-05-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm packing for my trip tmorrow. The "send-off" games being completed yeterday leaves us with a few injuries, the worst of which was to Cory Gibbs. He unpleasantly had to be replaced on the roster by Greg Berhalter. Greg certainly brings experience having played in the 2002 World Cup.

I arrive tomorrow to begin setting up the medical facilities ahead of the team's arrival. Dave leaves with the team from Newark on thursday.

We'll keep you posted.

Thanks for your comments.

Bruce

Claudio WC 2002

2006-05-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

I hope this worked as I am figuring out this blog thing on the fly. I hope I uploaded one of my favorite pictures from the 2002 World Cup in Korea. Let's hope it worked.

I'm home now after the scrimmage yesterday that Dave recapped for you. I'll have the next ten days in the clinic before rejoining the team in Germany on the first of June. Keep checking out the blog for Dave's posts next week.

We look forward to your comments.
Bruce

thursday scrimmage

2006-05-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

Hello from Cary, North Carolina. The US MNT had a scrimmage today with the Charlston Battery of the A-league. It was dominated by your US team 5-0. The players have a day off tomorow which means we will be busy trying to get them ready for their trip to Nashville, Tenn to face Morroco on the 23rd. Bruce will be returning to Gig Harbor tomorrow to treat patients next week in the office. Stop by and hear first hand what was going on at the camp. David will stay with the team while in Nashville and then travel home on the 24th. It has been a very challenging week of training and fitness here for the boys. Each day filled with treatments, training, fitness and then gym work and of course massage into the early morning. We have been working overtime to prepare and improve the physical quality of the team. With all of the fitness and training there are many with sore muscles and aching legs. We utilize ice whirlpools, massage and of course active rest to assist with the recovery from the day. The most amazing thing is the media attention created by the magnitude of this event. Each day there are literaly a multitude of media surrounding this team. Every player has interviews, comercials, television broadcasts to attend while they are supose to be resting up for the next day training. When will the madness decrease? It is such a tough life. No time to yourself. The fans are everywhere and they all want your signature. We had a signing of 500 balls and 500 shirts the other day. We are even in our rooms and people come in to ask for an autograph. They are so excited for us but it does take it tole on you. Some days you just want to be away from it. The off day will be a time for them to get away from it for a while. The training room will be open most of all day to treat the knocks two to three times. This will help improve the quality of the training. Bruce Arena stated that the roster spots for June 12th are not set nor will be set until game time is closer so the competiveness is up there and the quality is good. Speed of play is what we concentrated on today. Putting Chalston under pressure in their defensive third. The ball did not get to our side much.
We played 4 ot the back with a diamond in the middle and 2 up front. They seemed to pack it in and just cleared the ball because they were under alot of pressure. Well I have got to ge back to work after I write this and throw some food down my throat. All the best to you and talk to you soon.

Training Camp Begins

2006-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Dave Andrews and I are beginning our first-ever blog. This will be a journal of our activities as the trainers for the US World Cup Team as we begin our road to Germany. We will be taking turns updating our families and the friends of NW Sports PT.

Today was our first training day here in Cary, NC. Nearly all the players have arrived into camp from their respective teams, with those players playing in Germany still to finish off their league schedules. It was a bit humid today but the fields are among the best I have seen since World Cup 2002. Like putting greens.

I hope you all will check in with our blog and watch for news of the World Cup as June 12th approaches.

Bruce