The first pure fitness session on the field since camp began five days ago was a doozy. Designed by fitness coach Masa Sakihana, the intense 36-minute program was built to increase their maximum fitness capacity and improve the players' ability to change direction at speed.

There were two different stations, each running a duration of one minute.

The day after a match typically means a regeneration session for players that involves some version of hydrotherapy, which usually takes place pool workout. After all, pools are usually the most accessible for a team, especially one on the road. But if there happens to be water nearby ...
And so it was that the U-23 team found themselves on the beach in Sarasota, doing stretching and other exercises in the Gulf of Mexico.

Three notes from the second day of training in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

• The workload increased in the morning session, with the team on the field for about 90 minutes.
• The coaching staff transitioned into exercises involving more players (6 v. 6, 8 v. 8) to build on the concepts they have introduced and give the team a picture of what it will look like in a game.

ussoccer.com has put together a number of "Inside the Lines" over the years, giving fans the chance to see what they love the most: the team playing soccer. It's one of our most popular video series.

This time around, "Inside the Lines" worked out as one long take, which makes for a pretty cool look at training.

Chelsea's newest signing, Romelu Lukaku, has revealed his delight at playing alongside hero Didier Drogba, and has told reporters that he hopes the Ivorian stays at the club. Lukaku has been dubbed the "new Drogba" in many circles, and is hoping to learn as much as possible from one of the Premier League's most potent goalscorers.

Today, Oriol Romeu and Romelu Lukaku spoke for the first time in public about their moves to Stamford Bridge and both are keen to point out, they want to work hard to earn the right to take their place among "the great players" we have at our club.
First up on the website is Oriol Romeu who many are touting for a number of games this season in a Chelsea shirt.

I am in Washington D.C. for the Barcelona v Manchester United match on Saturday. Tonight both teams had a practices that were open to the middle and fans.

It was really cool to watch Barcelona practice. Completely different exercises than what Man Utd went through. Carlos Puyol (looking a bit heavy) did not practice, but he did sign autographs for the fans.

I am in Washington D.C. for the Barcelona v Manchester United match on Saturday. Tonight both teams had a practices that were open to the middle and fans.

It was really cool to watch Barcelona practice. Completely different exercises than what Man Utd went through. Carlos Puyol (looking a bit heavy) did not practice, but he did sign autographs for the fans.

With Andy Brouwer of "Kingdom of Football" (many thanks to "LigaSingapura" for the shot taken)It's always nice to meet up with regional football bloggers and especially if they are happen to be here in Singapore like Mr Andy Brouwer, the man behind the blog "Kingdom of Football".
I actually have follow Andy's blog on Cambodian football for a while and glad to gather some insights on the Khmer football scene via his blog postings.

Two generations of U.S. Soccer Supporters watch training Monday

More than 50 members of the U.S. Soccer Supporters Cub accepted the special invitation to come watch the U.S. Men's National Team training session on Memorial Day. The fans were treated to a spirited session with some great exercises and some good goals to boot.

Despite still yet to find the net since his January move, Chelsea's 50 million pound striker, Fernando Torres, is still having tons of support from the people at his new club especially the Blues' manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

The under thread Italian coach even believes that his Spanish striker eventually will score a goal and the tactician promised to support the former Liverpool player in every way that he could.

In January at the NSCAA convention, I ran a session called "Finishing Exercises for Elite Players." I leave it as an exercise to the reader to determine how a soccer mind as brilliant as my own could have run out a team which produced so many embarrassing moments in front of goal.

I mean, I know the answer.

Being absent for a long time because injury has frustrated Arsenal's center back, Thomas Vermaelen, especially since he already had several relapses and until now doesn't have a clue on when would he be able to play again.

The Belgium international admitted that being unable to play this long is not something common for him that's why the current condition it's mentally difficult for the ex-Ajax player, fortunately he still managed to think positively about his current problem.

Things are pretty quiet today on the Arsenal front. We're still waiting for confirmation of Jens Lehmann's emergency signing. Then again, the official website tends to lag behind the rest of us on these matters so expect confirmation from them sometime in May. In any case, it looks to be set and Keown thinks it could be good for us, so expect the mad German to be on the bench this weekend.

As the English football season heads towards another exciting and intriguing finale, the top clubs from the Premiership and particularly in the Football League are finding their squads becoming increasingly stretched as key playing staff are lost through injury and suspension as their clubs press for trophies and promotion on a multitude of fronts.

This young U.S. team took a break from the daily exercises against each other in January Camp to get a look at a different opponent, playing a closed door scrimmage against the Canada U-23 National Team. Two goals on either side of halftime capped off a solid effort from players getting in their first 11 v.

Kenny Mansally, Shalrie Joseph, and Mike Videira scrimmage during last year's preseason. (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Despite the cold, wintry conditions that have recently pummeled the region, the unofficial start of spring is less than two weeks away. For Revolution fans, at least.

Before the January training camp began, ussoccer.com spoke with U.S. head coach Bob Bradley about the philosophy behind the roster selections.

As the second week of training concluded, we sat down with U.S. assistant coach Jesse Marsch to hear the thoughts of the coaching staff on the work done so far, how the players have performed, and what remains before the match against Chile.

More than 50 members of the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club attended training on Saturday after receiving a special invitation to watch the closed session as the U.S. MNT continues preparations for the game against Chile.
Fans started arriving around 9:30 a.m., with some driving up from as far as San Diego!

Frank Lampard has been recently stating that Chelsea need more players . Lampard says that it is essential that Chelsea sign new players in order to stop the title challenge from withering. However, Chelsea seem to be doing exactly the opposite after it was rumoured that Jose Bosingwa could leave Chelsea at the end of season.

Making football predictions must be one of the most pointless exercises of all. Most of them are only mere wishes or are purely based on gut feelings. But it's the first day of a new year so it's a...
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