FCD puts five players on Generation adidas team
Traveling squad heads to South Africa for games, 2010 FIFA World Cup draw
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Making the trek for FCD are midfielders Eric Avila and Bruno Guarda, forwards Peri Marosevic and Brek Shea and goalkeeper Josh Lambo. For three players (Avila, Guarda and Lambo), it will mark their second consecutive year on the league tour.
"I think it's always fantastic to get out there and measure yourself with other people in the league with the same age and same background," Hyndman said. "I saw you a year ago and let's see how you've improved and how I've improved."
Avila comes off a season where he played in a career-high 18 games, scoring one goal and adding two assists. He is looking forward to seeing Africa for the first time.
"I had fun (last year). It was a great experience," he said. "We play the Orlando Pirates and get to go to the FIFA draw, which is going to be great. I've never been to Africa. I'm excited. I've never been to that part of the world. I think it's something great plus it keeps me playing. It will be good to get some games in. I feel like I haven't had a game in a while. Having that is great."
Guarda is another holdover on the trip. He comes off a season where he played in four games, two of those starts for FCD in his first full season in MLS.
Lambo spent much of 2009 as FCD's backup goalkeeper while normal starter Dario Sala was injured. With Ray Burse filling in, Lambo was his club's second option but did not see any action in his second year as a pro.
"It's going to be an awesome experience, getting to go to the country where the World Cup is going to be next summer. That's a part of the world I've never been to, which makes it exciting as well. It's not going to be a super intense trip. It's going to be fun. You get to enjoy the games." Lambo said. "I'm looking forward to seeing some guys I haven't seen in a while. I hear there is some pretty exciting stuff there."
Like his teammates, the young 'keeper is intrigued about the unique experience of seeing a FIFA World Cup draw in person.
"That is going to be absolutely unbelievable. I'd rather just go to that than play the games," he joked. "It's such an incredible experience that so few people will get the opportunity to experience and we're looking forward to it. I'm really looking forward to the South Africa trip because it gives me a chance to show my stuff because I haven't been able to do it here."
At this time a year ago, Marosevic was preparing for the adidas MLS Player Combine. FCD drafted him fifth overall in the 2009 Super Draft but he only played in four games. The former University of Michigan star is looking forward to getting a few more games in before his offseason officially begins.
"That's one thing I'm looking for -- getting some playing time and getting some games in. I need to get the touch back and the feeling of being back on the field," he said. "It's something I have definitely missed. This is going to be a good opportunity not just for myself but for all the players who haven't had the same opportunity in the season with the reserve league gone.
"Personally, I'm looking forward to it. It's going to make me get sharper, have touches on the ball, think quicker and all that, all those aspects of the game that you kind of lose when you don't play for a little while. That's what I'm definitely looking forward to, getting some playing time."
Getting to see the FIFA draw is a nice bonus too.
"Definitely, this is going to be a great experience -- to be able to go there and witness the World Cup draw, being part of it and being able to be over there to represent MLS and the players we have, it's going to be a great experience," Marosevic said. "Being in that World Cup atmosphere is going to make it a little extra special. It's definitely going to be a great experience for us. It's going to be unbelievable. Having a couple of guys on the team is great. We're going to have a good time."
If there is a member of the group who truly broke out this season, it was Shea, who had four assists in 19 games, which included seven starts. He would be making his second consecutive Generation adidas trip were it not for a knee injury he suffered last fall that precluded him from making the 2008 tour.
"I didn't get to go last year because of my knee injury. I'm kind of excited to go," he said. "I've never been to South Africa either, so I'm excited for that too. We get to go to the World Cup draw there too, so that will be fun. I know a bunch of the guys that are from other teams and it will be fun to see them. I think it will be a pretty fun trip. It will be good to finally all play together."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com
