Inter Miami returns to training site for individual workouts. Here’s how it went
One by one the Inter Miami players, wearing face masks, pulled into the parking lot at the team’s Fort Lauderdale training facility Wednesday morning and stopped to have their temperature taken by trainers in protective gear.
Once they were cleared, they were directed to their assigned parking spot, and then proceeded to train individually in their private quadrant of the practice field. The balls and equipment were carefully sanitized.
It was the first time players were allowed to train on site since before COVID-19 forced the suspension of Major League Soccer on March 12. Though it didn’t look or feel like it did before, it was a lot better than working out alone in their living rooms, backyards and condo parking lots.
“It was a lot of fun to be back,” captain and goalkeeper Luis Robles said. “I know the setup is a little different, but it’s not as if we stopped training. Once we found out we had to self-quarantine, they gave us weekly training regimens and we were running a lot. So, what [on-site training] provides is just a safer environment for players to come and see each other from a distance but continue to train and work hard as we gear up for the season.”
Midfielder Mikey Ambrose tweeted: “Even though it’s limited and very separated, it feels absolutely amazing to be back on our fields.”
The team was split into two training sessions, and fields were divided into quadrants, where players trained individually for about an hour under the guidance of coaches and trainers, who wore masks and kept their distance. They worked on ball skills, speed and agility.
“I felt very happy to return and see my teammates and coaches after being so far apart for so long,” midfielder Matias Pellegrini said. “I was very comfortable with how we were taken care of. Impressive. We took our first step, and it was the hardest one. We didn’t know how long this would take. We hope this will get better little by little. At home you’re alone, it’s not the same.”
Players were not allowed to enter the locker rooms, gym or training rooms. All work was done outdoors.
“It’s been a really difficult seven weeks for so many people, and we’re fully aware of that and sports is such a small part of what happens,” said Inter Miami COO and sporting director Paul McDonough. “Today’s a day we’re happy we were able to get the guys back on site to start individual training. We’re looking forward to seeing the guys, getting their fitness levels up and seeing where the next stage takes us.”
All the players participated except one, who was out of state with family and couldn’t get back in time. Asked who that player was, McDonough would not say.
He said the club’s next goal is small-group training, once that is allowed by the league and local authorities.
“The players found it very difficult with parks being closed and not having spaces to work out,” McDonough said. “We measured this as parks started to open because we thought players’ safety was vital and if players start exercises in parks, you can’t protect them from people coming up and asking for selfies and autographs. We have really good facilities and can put them in a protected environment, social distance them, and allow them to enjoy good surfaces to get a quality workout.”
Although the process was “tedious,” Robles said, the players respect the new rules because they want to keep everyone safe.
One thing that has not changed during the COVID-19 quarantine is the incessant string of rumors of player transfers to Inter Miami. The latest is Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal, who plays for the Chilean national team and briefly posted an Inter Miami logo on his Instagram account before taking it down. McDonough said that was just a rumor.
“He’s a top player, he’s a very well-established player, but we get linked with so many players and it hasn’t stopped in this situation,” McDonough said. “Some are strictly rumors and some are interest but may not line up with our goals or financial valuations.”
The league suspensions around the world have left many clubs in financial trouble, which means there are more players available to make moves.
“This has really changed everything, rosters ... we’re evaluating everything, we’re looking, whether we add players this summer or for next January, we are looking for two more players to strengthen the team,” McDonough said.
Robles is on the executive board of the MLS Players Association and said the league is being extremely meticulous moving forward.
“The league understands there’s a bigger thing at hand and they don’t want to disrespect in any way while also maintaining a competitive environment for players,” he said. “Here we are, on the field. I know not all the teams around the league are training in this capacity, but it’s not a matter of if, but when. Hopefully, with each passing day and week more teams will be able to utilize their outdoor facilities.”