Editor's Note: Thorns FC have been training in Tucson, Ariz. since Sunday at the Kino Sports Complex. We asked midfielder McCall Zerboni to give an update on the team's progress, their preseason game against the newly created FC Tucson Women's team and what life's been like for the club in preseason.
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We're coming to you live from Tucson, Arizona. As you might already know, we have embarked on a wild team adventure down south here for some preseason training and competition. We took off on Monday morning out of PDX. It was fun finding out who the true morning people are, or aren't (cough cough Niemiec) upon arrival to the airport.
We hit the ground running with some hottt training later that afternoon on Day 1 in AZ. Temperatures here are high 80s, low 90s, plentyyy of sunshine! So we packed some up and mailed it back to Portland, it should be arriving later today for ya. ;)
We're training at Kino Sports Complex, a fantastic facility that quite a few MLS teams visit as well for their preseason training. In fact, our very own Timbers were here. They left us some cookies and snacks in the locker room, so thoughtful right?! -- True or False?
We've been kicking our feet up in between sessions in a lovely resort. We have water chugging contests on our down time and seem to get lost every time we leave the hotel. Or is it just
Kat's
fabulous sense of direction? Before this trip I had her in my Top 5 Best Future Soccer Moms of the Universe. She jumped right in the driver's seat of the 15 passenger vehicle first day, with no hesitation, and said, and I quote: "I've got this guys." Mmkay. Well. Does this photo look like she's got it?? Just asking.
Wednesday night we got to do the fun stuff – play a game! It felt great, we are really starting to gel as a team on the field and we have some exciting, entertaining talent on this squad. We took on the local FC Tucson Women in their stadium. We went up one-nil in the first half on a brilliant, composed finish from
Jodie Taylor
.
She's English. And very good at soccer. Ok. You've been warned.
Then we capped off the game with another goal in the 2nd half, giving us the 2-0 win and a shutout for split time by
[Nadine] Angerer
and
[Michelle] Betos
. It was a solid team performance and I believe we showed well considering the preseason work load it has been. Heavy legs but strong minds! Rarrrrrr
Thursday we hit the pristine grass field again for some ball work and soccer tennis. Then went and blasted some dance tunes in the gym while completing a weight circuit. Naturally, soccer tennis got a liiiiittle outta hand with competition rising and debatable calls when the coaching staff made it to the final game. But, despite some serious obstacles and overcoming many hardships along the way, the players prevail! Rule #1 of Soccer Tennis: Never let the coaches win.
After a victory on Wednesday night vs. FC Tucson and another glorious win at soccer tennis, we're feeling successful and making great team progress. We love each other. And soccer. And YOU for tuning in to the latest and greatest happenings of your Portland Thorns! :) Stay with us as we take on U of A this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. here in Arizona. I'm signing off for now, gotta go online shop for some new legs.
Thanks for all your love and support, 2015 THORNS turn up!!
