After enjoying a day off on Sunday, the Rapids headed back to the practice field on Monday morning in Tucson, continuing the team's preseason work under great weather. The session began and ended with a slow jog as the players shook off the effects of Saturday's game.
Practice consisted of a warm-up, passing drills and some short-sided possession games while the goalkeepers worked separately. After the main part of the session, the players who played more minutes on Saturday began to cool down while others played some extra 5-v-5 games.
The players had lunch at the Kino Sports Complex after practice before heading back to the team hotel, where the team had another MLS-mandated meeting before having dinner on their own.
SANCHEZ TRAINS FULLY
Monday's practice saw attacking midfielder Vicente Sanchez training fully after a few days off due to a knock suffered last week. The Uruguayan worked without restrictions and came through the session without any further injury.
O'NEILL STEPS IT UP
Defender Shane O'Neill also undertook more on Monday, participating in the warm-up and passing drills before moving to the side of the field for specialized work with the Rapids Athletic Training staff. O'Neill is recovering from a hamstring strain suffered in January.
GOLFING IN TUCSON
The Rapids spent their one off day in Tucson on Sunday in many different spots, with players, coaches and staff heading out of the hotel for meals and entertainment. Several took advantage of the beautiful weather to hit one of the area's many golf courses, including staff members Pablo Mastroeni and Chris Sharpe, as well as Drew Moor, Dillon Powers and Nathan Sturgis.
