What Else Is There To Do Around Here?

On the team's first full day in Rhodes, they did it all: a training session, ocean swimming, visiting the ancient city of Rhodes, and finishing with a beach disco party. All we can wonder is, whether we've done everything already! Who knows what's in store for tomorrow, but here's a recap of today's adventures.

This morning's training session focused on what soccer players call "set pieces." These are free kicks that result from fouls, as well as corner kicks that result when the ball crosses the baseline of the field. More than 50% of all goal come from set pieces, so it is always good to practice them constantly.

Then practice finished with some practice on penalty kicks. The team has not yet practiced these, and they will determine games if the team gets beyond their group phase in the Tournament. Fortunately, we had an astroturf field much like our game fields in Athens. The guys looked great!

Avery Long and Sam Huffman won the penalty kick competitions, and Alan Hill made some fantastic saves:

The guys also enjoyed their first taste of international stardom, as a group of Greek schoolchildren came to watch, cheered the great goals, and then took a photo with us afterward:

In the afternoon, the guys spent a couple of hours at the beach. Almost everyone tested the ocean waters, and the conclusion was that the warm Aegean Sea was the perfect way to cool down after training. We're still waiting for Alan (on the left) to wear his European-style swimsuit!

The evening involved a walking tour of the ancient city of Rhodes. Although the Kolossos no longer stands (it was a bronze statue over 100 feet high, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), most of the old town is circled by a wall built by the Crusaders:

...and filled with mosques from over three hundred years of Turkish occupation:

Along the way, the guys bumped into the Irish team we'll be scrimmaging tomorrow in our last preparation match:

We got along tonight, but things will be less friendly tomorrow!

Then all the countries based in Rhodes went to a beach party. Except for dancing machine Shaun Ridley, most of the guys refused to dance, reserving their moves for the field.

The Beachside Disco...where's our guys???

We came home after 11:00, ready for a good night's rest before tomorrow morning's training session and match against Ireland. Be sure to read the match report tomorrow. Also, team manager Mary Lu Bucci is taking more pictures than we can post on these daily updates. To see all of them, visit the Extra Photos page.