Los Angeles Blues News Release -- www.bluessoccerclub.com
Saturday, November 5, 2011
FULLERTON, Calif. – This week may mark a milestone in Los Angeles Blues history, as the USL PRO side worked out on the natural grass at Fullerton College, around the corner from Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium, for the very first time. The move from Downtown Los Angeles is part of the Blues’ efforts to centralize all of their operations and strengthen their connection with the local community.
While the field at Fullerton College is not currently in the best possible condition, Head Coach Charlie Naimo did not seem too concerned, as he reflected on his players’ injury struggles in 2011 that resulted largely from training on artificial turf.
“We hope to reach a long-term deal because this would really be a great fit,” Naimo said. “We’re excited to be on natural grass, and the field should be even better once some repairs are made. In addition to the lower risk of injury, it’s a really neat, intimate complex that’s almost walking distance from our home stadium. Finally, there’s even an artificial turf field here that we could use if it rains and we don’t want to damage the regular field, or to prepare for road games at venues without natural grass.”
Naimo and Associate Head Coach Shayon Jalayer currently hold training twice a week. Thursday’s session saw about 20 participants, made up of a mix of local prospects and established professionals, including a pair of former MLS players and some familiar faces such as Blues attacker Israel Sesay.
“It’s good to see a lot of guys working out with us who can play our way and keep possession,” Naimo said. “We’re trying to find players who are active on the field, are good in transition and can finish chances. It’s also crucial that they work hard for us defensively if we do lose possession. We feel like we have a good base of players here that can keep the ball, and now we can pick and choose the ones with the most useful tools.
“In addition, the training sessions now give us an opportunity to get to know these guys as people and see how they interact with each other. We’re glad we started working out several months from the new season, because it means we can take our time and don’t have to rush to sign anyone.”
In their efforts to build a winning roster for the 2012 USL PRO campaign, Naimo and Jalayer also place high hopes on the team’s open combine, likely to be held in January of next year. Stay tuned to www.labluesprosoccer.com for combine details as well as weekly updates on the process that may just result in the emergence of the next Cinderella star à la 2011 Blues top scorer Cesar Rivera.