Sporting Kansas City is officially on their way to Orlando for the Disney Pro Soccer Classic. The team will play four matches during the Classic with the first on February 9 against the Montreal Impact. We caught up with Jacob Peterson, Dom Dwyer and Aurelien Collin before they took off for Florida.
Sporting Kansas City Forward Jacob Peterson
On his shoulder injury and his expectations for Orlando…
The shoulder’s doing well. Just a couple weeks and I’ll be back into training. In Orlando I’ll just be running laps around the field, which I’m very excited about (laughs). I’ll still continue rehab with Kenny and Chet and the trainers here. Hopefully within a week I’ll be over with Mateus and start working on the fitness aspects and get involved a little bit more with the ball.
On the Disney Pro Soccer Classic…
These games are more important than Tucson, but it’s not everything. Last year I don’t know if we played our best soccer down there. I think Vancouver beat us 3-0. I don’t think it’s a huge indication, but it’s definitely something where you want to be clicking. You want to hit your stride going into the season. We know that. We’ve been together for a while now, and I think everybody is pretty familiar. We have a few new pieces that we’ll work in. But I think everybody is excited and we definitely want to have a good showing down there.
On the team chemistry…
It’s going well. Obviously Benny [Feilhaber] hasn’t been here, but a couple guys knew him before- myself included. The other new guys fit in great, similar to last year when I was new. It’s an easy team to get used to playing with. I think everyone is really welcoming and that helps a lot in the transition.
Sporting Kansas City Forward Dom Dwyer
On his offseason fitness…
This offseason, I did a lot of training. I was training with a team up in Scotland for a while. I was almost match fit and ready to play 90 minutes. Then I had to give myself a little bit of rest so I didn’t come in and wear myself out. I worked hard and then I went to California for a week before I came to KC just to get some more heat and hot climate. During preseason, my beep test was almost two levels above what I got last year so that’s a big jump. I think my beep test was better than it was after preseason last year.
On the trip to Orlando…
I’m excited to go to Disney. It’s nice. I liked the Disney Pro Soccer Classic last year. It was a bit new to me then because I was a rookie. I was kind of figuring out what was going on. Now I’m a second year, and I’m looking forward to playing some games, having some fun and hopefully scoring some goals.
On Kei’s move and new opportunities for young strikers…
Kei is a brilliant player and he’s got himself a big move. He will be missed, but it’s opened doors and opportunity for other people like myself. I’m looking forward to having a chance to show what I can do.
On his infamous instagram selfies with Soony Saad…
Soony and I just want to entertain people a little bit. I’m sure everyone’s done it. We decided that we would share ours with the world. I try not to do it too often. But, you know, sometimes it happens.
Sporting Kansas City Defender Aurelien Collin
On the trip to Orlando…
I’m very happy. I like it in Orlando. It’s a good tournament. Last year, I enjoyed it. We have the possibility to work hard while at the same time play other MLS teams. I feel great to go there, and on top of that there is beautiful weather. We are staying in a great hotel that has everything we need to get prepared for the beginning of the season.
On team chemistry…
We are still waiting for Besler and Zusi. The young guys are improving every day. The coach told them the way we want to play offensively and defensively this year. On the field, we are getting closer as a family and as a team. We’re getting close off the field too. We had four days off, so the group got to know a little bit of the city. Yes, we have a young team, but there are a lot of good qualities.
