Cary, NC (May 18, 2020)- Players of North Carolina FC pull into spread out parking spots before training and wait for the heavy rain to cease. The team is about to begin their second week of small group training, where they can train in groups of four on team fields for the first time since March. The rain slowed up and eventually stopped right before the start of training. Players grabbed their gear from their cars and hit the wet pitch.
COVID-19 forced NCFC to halt their season after just one match on March 7. Since then players have only been able to participate in individual training.
North Carolina FC’s players have been making the most of their time off the field by hosting Zoom calls with NCFC Youth Academy teams. Each player had a call with a different age group, sharing tips with the youth players and answering their questions. Most players were asked about the topic of returning to play. The answer was always unknown, but now the team and the league are taking a step in the right direction.
The players have patiently waited for the day they could train again, but now that the time has come, they have another challenge ahead as Tropical Storm Arthur sends rain North Carolina’s way.
In a typical North Carolina FC fashion, the team remains positive despite the challenges. The group’s positivity radiates during training like the sun peeking through the storm clouds. DJ Taylor, Dre Fortune, and Akeem Ward keep their teammates’ spirits up and help motivate them by blasting music from a large speaker that can be heard from four fields away.
Alex Comsia, Daniele Proch, and Manny Perez challenge themselves to see how many juggles they can get in before training begins. Each group challenges themselves to similar tasks, coaching each other and pushing each other to get better with each touch taken on the ball.
“It’s been great to see the guys and get some touches on the ball,” said NCFC defender Caleb Duvernay who has been working a full-time job on the side when he’s not playing soccer.
At one point during the session, Robby Kristo missed the net and accidentally sent a hard-driven ball right into the back of Duvernay who was collecting the group’s soccer balls. The two had a good laugh and joked that Duvernay would likely have a “ball mark tattoo” for several days. Similar interactions happened in several groups as everyone was very excited to be with one another.
“We are all excited that we can take some steps forward to get on the field and out of the house,” said Steven Miller. “There is so much uncertainty right now so any positive steps we can take is refreshing and makes this a little bit easier mentally.”
Like the rose bushes that surrounded the practice field, North Carolina FC provided some color on a dreary day, as the team continues to keep their hopes up and look to the future. A little rain can’t stop 22 players that are eager to get back to the game they love.
Cary, NC (May 18, 2020)- Players of North Carolina FC pull into spread out parking spots before training and wait for the heavy rain to cease. The team is about to begin their second week of small group training, where they can train in groups of four on team fields for the first time since March. The rain slowed up and eventually stopped right before the start of training. Players grabbed their gear from their cars and hit the wet pitch.
COVID-19 forced NCFC to halt their season after just one match on March 7. Since then players have only been able to participate in individual training.
North Carolina FC’s players have been making the most of their time off the field by hosting Zoom calls with NCFC Youth Academy teams. Each player had a call with a different age group, sharing tips with the youth players and answering their questions. Most players were asked about the topic of returning to play. The answer was always unknown, but now the team and the league are taking a step in the right direction.
The players have patiently waited for the day they could train again, but now that the time has come, they have another challenge ahead as Tropical Storm Arthur sends rain North Carolina’s way.
In a typical North Carolina FC fashion, the team remains positive despite the challenges. The group’s positivity radiates during training like the sun peeking through the storm clouds. DJ Taylor, Dre Fortune, and Akeem Ward keep their teammates’ spirits up and help motivate them by blasting music from a large speaker that can be heard from four fields away.
Alex Comsia, Daniele Proch, and Manny Perez challenge themselves to see how many juggles they can get in before training begins. Each group challenges themselves to similar tasks, coaching each other and pushing each other to get better with each touch taken on the ball.
“It’s been great to see the guys and get some touches on the ball,” said NCFC defender Caleb Duvernay who has been working a full-time job on the side when he’s not playing soccer.
At one point during the session, Robby Kristo missed the net and accidentally sent a hard-driven ball right into the back of Duvernay who was collecting the group’s soccer balls. The two had a good laugh and joked that Duvernay would likely have a “ball mark tattoo” for several days. Similar interactions happened in several groups as everyone was very excited to be with one another.
“We are all excited that we can take some steps forward to get on the field and out of the house,” said Steven Miller. “There is so much uncertainty right now so any positive steps we can take is refreshing and makes this a little bit easier mentally.”
Like the rose bushes that surrounded the practice field, North Carolina FC provided some color on a dreary day, as the team continues to keep their hopes up and look to the future. A little rain can’t stop 22 players that are eager to get back to the game they love.
