Dispatch from Palo Alto
Stanford Provides Collegial Backdrop for U.S. Training
For Graham Zusi (University of Maryland) and Alejandro Bedoya (Boston College), training for the 2014 World Cup at Stanford University is a welcome reminder of their college years.
PALO ALTO, Calif.—Across the globe, all 32 teams that will compete
for the the World Cup have met up in various locations to start their
preparations for the tournament in Brazil. And yes, some weird things have
happened.
The Honduran side splashed around on the beach; Japan's team did an exercise that
involved standing on a balance trainer and holding a paddle; several
managers banned sex or in Mexico’s case sex and beef (simultaneous or
not) after past scares with the banned substance clenbuterol being found
in beef products.
But the United States is likely the only team greeted after training
by a pep rally featuring a guy dressed up as a tree.
Hosting camp on a college campus with class still in session tends to
lead to some odd moments. In addition to the Stanford University band welcoming
the team atop the tunnel from the stadium one day, players have been
eating meals in the cafeteria and sharing space with Stanford’s
athletic teams.
Being on campus brings back good memories for several of the national
team players.
“It’s been a lot of fun actually,” said Graham Zusi, a University of Maryland graduate.
“Stanford has provided us with absolutely incredible facilities, and
we haven’t had to worry about anything but the product on the field—
and that’s the way it should be.”
“Ah, it’s been nice. Reminds me of the good old college days,”
ex-Boston College student Alejandro Bedoya said. “I feel like many
people around the world don’t really understand how the college
experience life and how it is in the States. It makes me miss those
days, but it’s been cool.”
Of course, many of those people Bedoya mentioned are playing with him
on the national team right now, whether they missed out on four-plus years
of studying and/or partying to pursue a professional career in the
sport or simply didn’t grow up in the country.
“I can’t really tell because it’s like a whole different world for me
because in Germany we don’t have such a school program like this,”
defender Fabian Johnson said with a laugh. “Just so different and I
think the campus is really big, like almost a city in Germany. It’s
just, yeah, incredible.”
With a sprawling campus, golf carts are the preferred method of
transportation for many players. Pressed to name any particularly poor drivers among his teammates, the affable Johnson politely demurred.
While the facilities are generally top notch, some sacrifices must be
made. The cold tubs seem to be the same kind of inflatable kiddie
pools available for purchase at your local Walgreens. But aside from that
minor detail, the players are enjoying the chance to chat with people
outside the staff and utilize the various campus amenities.
“Stanford’s been really nice to us, opening up all the facilities
pretty much to us and being able to have lunch on campus with some of
the students,” Bedoya said. “We’re sitting next to some of the
students, having conversations with them and it’s been cool. You can
take a break from the hard work and stuff and be able to just relax
with the students on campus.”
Jon Arnold is an ASN contributor and podcast maker. He will be in the Bay Area covering the U.S. national team through Wednesday. Follow him on Twitter.
Hosting camp on a college campus with class still in session tends to
lead to some odd moments. In addition to the Stanford University band welcoming
the team atop the tunnel from the stadium one day, players have been
eating meals in the cafeteria and sharing space with Stanford’s
athletic teams.
Being on campus brings back good memories for several of the national
team players.
“It’s been a lot of fun actually,” said Graham Zusi, a University of Maryland graduate.
“Stanford has provided us with absolutely incredible facilities, and
we haven’t had to worry about anything but the product on the field—
and that’s the way it should be.”
“Ah, it’s been nice. Reminds me of the good old college days,”
ex-Boston College student Alejandro Bedoya said. “I feel like many
people around the world don’t really understand how the college
experience life and how it is in the States. It makes me miss those
days, but it’s been cool.”
Of course, many of those people Bedoya mentioned are playing with him
on the national team right now, whether they missed out on four-plus years
of studying and/or partying to pursue a professional career in the
sport or simply didn’t grow up in the country.
“I can’t really tell because it’s like a whole different world for me
because in Germany we don’t have such a school program like this,”
defender Fabian Johnson said with a laugh. “Just so different and I
think the campus is really big, like almost a city in Germany. It’s
just, yeah, incredible.”
With a sprawling campus, golf carts are the preferred method of
transportation for many players. Pressed to name any particularly poor drivers among his teammates, the affable Johnson politely demurred.
While the facilities are generally top notch, some sacrifices must be
made. The cold tubs seem to be the same kind of inflatable kiddie
pools available for purchase at your local Walgreens. But aside from that
minor detail, the players are enjoying the chance to chat with people
outside the staff and utilize the various campus amenities.
“Stanford’s been really nice to us, opening up all the facilities
pretty much to us and being able to have lunch on campus with some of
the students,” Bedoya said. “We’re sitting next to some of the
students, having conversations with them and it’s been cool. You can
take a break from the hard work and stuff and be able to just relax
with the students on campus.”
Jon Arnold is an ASN contributor and podcast maker. He will be in the Bay Area covering the U.S. national team through Wednesday. Follow him on Twitter.
