Regeneration

After two days of double-day trainings and six total practices during the camp, the U.S. team got the afternoon off today, a welcome respite for the players’ fatigued legs. The 26 players in camp have been working extremely hard as the U.S. team kicks off 2008 and tomorrow morning will play the first 11 v. 11 full field scrimmage of the camp as the players compete for spots on the 20-player roster for the Four Nations Tournament. The players did a whole lot of nothing this afternoon, partly due to the steady rain outside, but also to get rested and reenergized for the scrimmage tomorrow. Meanwhile, U.S. team General Manager Cheryl Bailey used the afternoon for a MASSIVE shopping run to stock up on snacks for the China trip. The U.S. team usually has a great supply of snacks on the road, but the trip to China necessitates several large trunks of yummy and nutritious treats just in case the food in China is not to some players’ likings.