The Revolution Under-18 and Under-16 teams arrived in Sarasota, Fla., late on Friday evening. After collecting everyone’s luggage and piling into the caravan – which is composed of three 12-passenger vans and two mini-vans – the group checked in at the hotel. Once settled, the teams reconvened for dinner and a meeting in a conference room.

On Saturday, the U18s were up early for a 6:30 a.m. breakfast in the hotel, before driving over to the Premier Sports Complex for a 9:00 game. The weather was surprisingly cool in the morning, with cloudy skies, 10-15 MPH winds and temperatures in the 50’s. The U16s arrived at the fields later for their 11:15 match. You can read more about the games against Charlotte Soccer Academy in the Dec. 3 youth update.

After returning to the hotel, the players had a short regeneration session in the pool, ate lunch and enjoyed some downtime to relax and recover.

Zachary Herivaux (Brookline, Mass.) left for the Development Academy Select Teams game around 4 p.m. with U16 coaches Bryan Scales and Gary Hall, while the remainder of the players and staff headed to dinner around 5:30. A 12-mile trip turned interesting when community activities blocked off several downtown roads. It may have taken significantly longer than expected, but we arrived at the restaurant and enjoyed a delicious Italian meal.

Once back at the hotel, the teams met to prepare for the next day’s games against the Chicago Fire and returned to their rooms for a good night’s rest.