The process of the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team getting to a third consecutive USL playoff and beyond, starts Monday morning as training camp kicks off day one.
The Independence have eight players under contract, but only seven will report with as Charlotte’s USL MVP finalist still trains with the Colorado Rapids. Trialist and targeted player signings will supplement training camp practices until the roster is rounded out. In the meantime, the Independence coaching staff is comfortable with how the roster is tracking.
“It's a fluid situation where we still have to evaluate guys in the first couple week to complete our roster,” said Independence Assistant Coach Troy Lesesne. “We have a very good idea about the guys we're going to target in certain positions and hopefully we can execute that in the coming weeks.”
INDEPENDENCE SCHEDULE: ADD GAMES TO YOUR CALENDAR
Independence fans may feel their team is behind in preseason preparation because 13 USL squads participated in friendly matches this weekend and other teams are closing in on a complete rosters. For example, the Tampa Bay Rowdies have 23 players under contract and one preseason game under their belt. But the Independence coaches are not measuring progress by comparing themselves to other clubs.
“You're constantly being bombarded with these press releases from around the league,” said Lesesne. “Teams are signing this player and that player. But for us, it's about getting the right player for the Charlotte Independence. We have a good idea who that is.”
A delicate challenge the Independence coaching staff must face is balancing 33 days of preparation before the season opener, with a long perspective of a regular season spanning eight months.
“Where you are week one is vastly different where you are in week twenty,” said Lesesne. “For us, it's about the process of building towards the end of the season and make sure we're in a position to be in the playoffs and compete for a championship.”
“That's always tricky,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries of managing a short preseason with a long regular season. “We have to be careful in preseason, because guys have been off for a while. Not only getting fit, but maintaining health and being smart about injuries; it's vital to how we want to manage our start. It's important that guys play throughout the whole preseason, to be sharp.”
Head Coach Mike Jeffries says the short preseason may expedite some coaching elements such as implementing tactics, but he anticipates easing into week one.
“Pretty basic, introductory sort of week,” said Jeffries. “We'll spend the first week of training working on our fitness and working on getting guys back into playing mode, a proper mentality, and the basic philosophical things of how we play.”
Charlotte’s Professional Soccer team will kick off the 2018 regular season at the Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday, March 17th when the Independence hosts Ottawa Fury FC. For details on the upcoming schedule and Season Memberships visit https://www.charlotteindependence.com or call 704-206-1515.
The process of the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team getting to a third consecutive USL playoff and beyond, starts Monday morning as training camp kicks off day one.
The Independence have eight players under contract, but only seven will report with as Charlotte’s USL MVP finalist still trains with the Colorado Rapids. Trialist and targeted player signings will supplement training camp practices until the roster is rounded out. In the meantime, the Independence coaching staff is comfortable with how the roster is tracking.
“It’s a fluid situation where we still have to evaluate guys in the first couple week to complete our roster,” said Independence Assistant Coach Troy Lesesne. “We have a very good idea about the guys we’re going to target in certain positions and hopefully we can execute that in the coming weeks.”
INDEPENDENCE SCHEDULE: ADD GAMES TO YOUR CALENDAR
Independence fans may feel their team is behind in preseason preparation because 13 USL squads participated in friendly matches this weekend and other teams are closing in on a complete rosters. For example, the Tampa Bay Rowdies have 23 players under contract and one preseason game under their belt. But the Independence coaches are not measuring progress by comparing themselves to other clubs.
“You’re constantly being bombarded with these press releases from around the league,” said Lesesne. “Teams are signing this player and that player. But for us, it’s about getting the right player for the Charlotte Independence. We have a good idea who that is.”
A delicate challenge the Independence coaching staff must face is balancing 33 days of preparation before the season opener, with a long perspective of a regular season spanning eight months.
“Where you are week one is vastly different where you are in week twenty,” said Lesesne. “For us, it’s about the process of building towards the end of the season and make sure we’re in a position to be in the playoffs and compete for a championship.”
“That’s always tricky,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries of managing a short preseason with a long regular season. “We have to be careful in preseason, because guys have been off for a while. Not only getting fit, but maintaining health and being smart about injuries; it’s vital to how we want to manage our start. It’s important that guys play throughout the whole preseason, to be sharp.”
Head Coach Mike Jeffries says the short preseason may expedite some coaching elements such as implementing tactics, but he anticipates easing into week one.
“Pretty basic, introductory sort of week,” said Jeffries. “We’ll spend the first week of training working on our fitness and working on getting guys back into playing mode, a proper mentality, and the basic philosophical things of how we play.”
Charlotte’s Professional Soccer team will kick off the 2018 regular season at the Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday, March 17th when the Independence hosts Ottawa Fury FC. For details on the upcoming schedule and Season Memberships visit https://www.charlotteindependence.com or call 704-206-1515.
