It's always a good time to train. Or perhaps more fittingly and double-negatively, it's never not a good time train. Not while players are away on international break, not on a player's birthday, never. There's always more work to be done for the 5-Stripes.
Atlanta United continued its regular training throughout the international break, and as players return from all the corners of the Earth, the sessions are ramping up in anticipation of another imperative home match on the weekend. One thing that did pause was media availability, as players spoke after training for the first time in a little under two weeks.
There are still a few 5-Stripes due to return from serving their national teams later in the week, but a couple returned for Tuesday's session. It was a scrimmage-heavy training, with half-field and one-third-field variations taking up most of the morning.
A 5-Stripe wants a World Cup spot
Luke Brennan joined the Under-20 United States Men's National Team in Spain during the international break for two matches against Morocco. He played 20 minutes in the first match off the bench, picking up an assist in a 4-1 win. The second match, he started and played 80 minutes.
With each opportunity at the international level, Brennan is campaigning for a spot on the U-20 roster for fast approaching 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. He'll soon know whether he made the roster, and the first U.S. match is on Sept. 29.
"I've been playing well, and I think when I go with the U.S., obviously it's important to me to represent the country," Brennan said. "I think I've proven myself."
Right now, it's his club responsibilities that have his attention. Brennan has carved out quite the role on the left side of the Atlanta United attack in recent months, starting in six matches since the club's return home in mid-July. He's becoming more and more threatening to opposing defenses by the minute, unafraid to take defenders on one-on-one.
"I just want to impact the game," Brennan said. "I think that one-vs-one is one of my strong suits. I think defenders know that, and I want them early [in a match] to know. I want to take on as many players as I can and help the team."
The experience playing alongside veterans of the game, Miguel Almirón and Saba Lobjanidze to name a few, is invaluable for his development. The 20-year-old's ambitions are lofty, and that confidence is a part of what makes him a player to watch for the future.
"It's amazing to be at such a top club. To play with some of these big players can only help me," Brennan said. "The goal is to go further and to hopefully be in Europe one day, and playing with these big names here can help me a lot further in my career."
Brennan and Polish international Bartosz Slisz returned to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground Tuesday morning, doing individual work with some running and dribbling as recovery after their international obligations. They'll be likely starters for Saturday's match against Columbus Crew, though head coach Ronny Deila and staff will solidify lineup decisions later in the week.
Brad's birthday training session
Forty-one never looked so good. Brad Guzan had an extra special training session, celebrating his birthday doing one of the things he loves the most: saving shots. That, and of course, yelling.
With lots of short-field scrimmages and drills, Guzan and the keepers had plenty to do. He, Josh Cohen and new Atlanta United 2 player James Donaldson faced a barrage of shots on the day. He may be 41, but Guzan was bouncing around just like his younger counterparts Tuesday morning.
His distribution, which sometimes consisted of a throw the entire length of the shortened pitch, set up goals for his teams. One of the drills saw outfield players matched up two-on-two in rapid-fire reps. As a shot stopper, his best save of the morning came on a ripped longshot with a leaping dive to his right.
The celebration for Guzan on the pitch consisted of a tunnel run. Enea Mihaj, who spoke to media after training, had some kind words to say for his teammate. Though he's only known Guzan for a couple months, you could feel the level of respect he has for the club legend.
"He's a really crazy guy, a really good guy," Mihaj said. "He's really helpful in the dressing room and on the pitch, obviously. I wish him happy birthday and all the best for him and his family."
