My time with CFC 2.5

Here are some pictures I took while we waited for Chelsea to come back for the 2nd practice.

My time with CFC II

(Picture of goal keeper Training Hilario, Cech, Turnbull)

I've seen and been a part of some intense training, but nothing could prepare for what I saw with Chelsea. The amount of focus and level of professionalism by both the staff and players is a model that I hope all pro teams take. Of course you have the guys joking around before training started, but it was like a switch went on when the first whistle blew for drills. These boys, took every amount of training as if it was a game type situation. The 8 v 8 scrimmage was as if they were playing against United or Liverpool. The amount of hitting and bodies being thrown in front of every shot, was like I was watching a Champions League final. Even when involving us in the drills (one which got me a little nervous), as soon as a ball was lost out of bounds I would hear John Terry yell over to me: "yeah, yeah!" as his palms were facing out in the direction he wanted the ball played. So, I quickly played him a ball and right back into the scrimmage they went, without skipping a beat. I have to admit, inside I as buzzing as I thought to myself... "Hey, I just played JT a long ball!" As the final whistle blew for the guys to hit the showers, most of the guys stuck around for some last minute workouts. Ricardo Carvahlo invovled me and another friend in some juggling and 2 touch passing. It was kinda funny, cause he never said a single word to us except good and thank you. As soon as as Carvahlo was done. Franco Di Santo wanted to knock the ball with me for a bit, so naturally being the nice guy that I am I obliged. It was all pretty amazing that these high profile players treated us with great respect. From, the many thank you's we got by just giving them water and sports drinks, to the hilarious jokes the coaching staff and trainers would say to us, the first half of Chelsea practice was terrific. The 2nd half of that day would be a different story. It turns out the mornings was just a light workout. The serious business was to come later that evening.

My time with CFC

Morning practice at the massive Virginia Mason Atheltic Center (Seattle Seahawks training facility)I was standing on the training pitch, nervously waiting for the team to come out for practice. It was really quite the only thing I could hear was the 12th man flag flapping in the wind, billions of things ran through my head, which player would I see first, would I even care since I'm not even a Chelsea supporter, how will they act with me being around to help. 8:30am the Chelsea FC coaching staff began to slowly step out onto the field, many of them if not all said hello and good morning to me, this was something I was definitely shocked by. I never thought they would even pay attention to me unless they needed something. As soon as I made that thought one of them quickly summoned me over to help him move the goals for the goal keepers training session. I could tell this guy meant business as the scowl was easily noticeable from a distance, I know the scowl wasn't meant for mem, but meant for the goal keepers as he had his game face on and ready to destroy Petr Cech, Ross Turnbull and Hilario. As soon as I helped him set up, a grounds keeper had asked us to move to a different spot as he needed to finish mowing the section we were on. In side I sank, as I was ready for Christophe Lollichon to erupt... Well, he didn't erupt, but the Frenchman did give a look and gesture of distaste. He immediately turned and looked at me and all I said was "right away sir!" after I moved everything, the only time I ever saw this man smile was when he said Thank you, and just as fast as he smiled he quickly went to his scowl, then in his accent he said "sorry, this man is eh.. stupid!" I just laughed and told him no problem. 9am rolled around and as I was headed back to the door to pick up some water, out came Ancellotti and Drogba. It took everything inside of me to not just sit there and stare. As they walked and spoke together, other players followed. Alex, Carvahlo, Bosingwa, Hilario and Cech. Cech is easily the biggest goal keeper I have ever seen, I know I had to keep my mouth closed as I was caught in between all these players. Finally the rest of the players made their way out, when John Terry walked towards me and the other fellas, shook our hands and said good morning. I was expecting him to just walk away after him saying hello, but he stayed for at least 5min talking with us about the game they had against the Sounders, MLS and how this league could be better if they just spent the money. This was a great topic for me to dominate the conversation, so I just went with it. Pretty soon it was as if it was just me and JT talking, by the end of it he had to get going to warm up, but his last parting words were: "I love Washington, it's fantastic here," "and Who know's, maybe one day I'll end up playing here." And off he went.

-More to come soon.