Atlanta United will leave its $60 million training facility in six days and continue its preseason training in Florida for several reasons.
The first is the most obvious.
“Look at the weather,” Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said on Monday.
The team opened its second training camp on Monday amidst gray skies and intermittent rain showers.
Because the team will spend a lot of time outside working on tactics and fitness, the team would prefer weather that is slightly more comfortable than the 50-plus degrees it was Monday afternoon.
The team will leave on Monday to train near Kissimmee, Fla. and won’t return for 10 days.
The team spent part of last year’s first training camp in Bradenton, Fla. at IMG Academy. Part of that was by choice to build camaraderie and part was necessity because its training facility was still being constructed.
Bonding is another reason the team will head to Florida this season.
Though the core of a group that became the first expansion team since Seattle in 2009 to quality for the playoffs returns, there are numerous new faces, including midfielder Darlington Nagbe, midfielder Ezequiel Barco, defender Franco Escobar, goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt and fullback Jose Hernandez.
“Last year’s preseason was geared to us being around each other as much as possible,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “Last year, especially off the field, that was probably just as important.
“Preseason is about getting to know new faces and getting to know each other as best you can.”
Bocanegra points out its common for teams around the world to head to warmer climates for training. Plus, there will be other MLS teams in Florida that Atlanta United can scrimmage with.
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