Video and Audio from Camp Cary

Two podcasts and a bit of video from Camp Cary via the US Soccer website.

There’s video of the fitness work the players went through first day of camp here. Looks hard, but the coaches seem fairly happy with everyone’s effort and condition.

Podcasts: (careful, they’re loud)
Bruce Arena talks to the press after first training session
Eddie Lewis talks to the press in some strong North Carolina wind.

Podcast highlights below…

Arena on Landon Donovan attributing improvements in his game and his professionalism to Arena:

“Well it’s nice that he would say that, but I think he just wants a place on the team! Sometime you need to help move players along and when you see there’s ways for them to improve you let them know that. But part of the challenge is being able to absorb that information and he’s been willing to listen and follow up and do some things that I think has made made him a better player.”

Arena on Landon 2002 vs Landon 2006:

“Four years ago he was just an excited player going to World Cup. This time around he’s one of those players that realises the challenge of the World Cup and the responsibility he has now as a more senior player on our team, and we’ll see if we can get performances from him game in game out for 90 mins.”

Arena on pre-World Cup training camp 2002 vs training camp 2006:

“We’re much healthier than we were last time, so hopefully that’s a good sign.”

Arena on when focus will shift specifically to the Czechs

“likely June 2nd .. the focus in the month of May will be on our team”

Eddie Pope.

On pressure:

“We know in the grand scheme of things that the rest of the world doesn’t expect very much of us. So that takes the pressure off.”

Eddie Lewis:

Q: “How comfortable are you at left back”

A: “So far very comfortable. The games I’ve been involved in have gone quite well. There’ll always be (inaudible due to wind, something about doubts) with me not playing there consistently. I’m taking things one game at a time, and I feel I’ve improved game on game. The biggest thing is the way we play makes it a lot easier. We play with two centre backs that control most othe back line and Bruce likes to push the outside backs forward and really control the width. It feels more of a wing back role and I’ve played a lot of years there and I feel comfortable with that.”