After playing three games in nine days, Orlando City will have ten days between matches and earn a much needed break for rest and recuperation. The Lions will have the weekend off before traveling to Montreal next week to face the Impact, a game that could have major playoff implications. With the hard work that the players have been putting into training, the extra time off will benefit them immensely.
Since Kreis arrived in Orlando a little over a month ago, the players have been honest about the increased intensity of training. While the training has made play more skillful and sharp, it has also increased exhaustion. Last month, Kreis admitted to the extra strain on the players. “We’ve been training probably a little harder and a little longer, so we’re putting a little bit more fatigue on the players.”
The intense training, combined with three games in nine days against three of the top teams in the league, would be strenuous on any player. Now, the team is looking to work hard and take advantage of their extra time off. “It’s good to get away from the training field for a couple of hours,” Servando Carrasco said after training on Thursday. “It’s two games in five days so we’ll need fresh bodies.”
When they return, Orlando City will face back-to-back road games against two strong opponents. But with the team just one point out of the playoffs, they’ll definitely look to come out strong.
“We have about ten days until the next game. It’s hard but it’s special,” Kaká said after Sunday’s match against New York City FC. “We have this game [and then] after we have a very good game against LA [Galaxy]. Two games in a row that we can prove that we can achieve our goals.”
