The team started out with some conventional warm-ups and stretching. They then went into a 50/50 split side game of keep away, emphasizing using the width of the field and looking for the long pass when the player had time. Keepers were warming up separately at this point.

The team then went into some shooting drills with keepers and goals about 30 yards apart. Melvin Tarley looked real sharp. So did Joe Warren.

I talked to Freddy Juarez for a while and he said he is about a week out from starting to train with the team. He has been working hard on rehabbing the ankle. Strengthening and balance type stuff. I got a shot of his new do or should I say none-do as he has shaved his head. He said that he likes the changes he has seen with the Thunder and Amos and feels the change is really good considering the coaching style of Amos and how many younger players there are on the team. He stated that Amos does a really good job with the younger players and that he feels the team is already much more cohesive than they were last year. He also believes there will be much competition in midfield when everyone gets healthy, meaning himself, Nate Winkle and Alfredo Esteves. And lastly, the signing of Tarley has given the team a lift in confidence. Freddy is excited about the prospects of this year's team.

I talked to Nate Winkle briefly. He is recovering from hernia problems and has been working hard with Thunder trainer to recuperate without surgery. He has not practiced with the team yet.

Alfredo Esteves was doing some light training on his own, dribbling and making cuts. Hopefully he will also be ready to start training with the team soon.

Manny Lagos was at practice to help out and a surprise visitor came by to watch the progress of his old team. Yes "The Buzzer," as Freddy Juarez called him, came by and observed things from a distance.

Lastly, Freddy asked if the Dark Clouds were going to have a big turn-out. I told him that there has been a lot of chatter on the bulletin boards with new people joining in and lots of things planned. He actually was pretty excited about this. I think we sometimes forget that we do make a difference to these players and we can be the 12th man on the field for our boys.

For a look at more of the pictures I took, have a look at the gallery.