Half of them were in white and the other half were in red, but by early November, the worthy ones will all be wearing the same color.
The Blast, the reigning Major Indoor Soccer League champion, kicked off its 2006 training camp with some intrasquad play Monday afternoon, giving some of the young players the opportunity to mix things up with the veterans.
“It?s interesting because we only have a little bit of time to make decisions on final cuts and a little time to get ready for our season,” said Blast president and general manager Kevin Healey. “So the guys need to come in ready to go, and I think they did.”
The number of roster-hopefuls might be trimmed down by the end of Saturday?s preseason game with the Philadelphia KiXX.
“I?m going to give them the full week and Saturday?s scrimmage game to see what they have,” first year coach Danny Kelly said.
The Blast has 19 players on the preseason roster, with 18 more invitees in camp.
The team is currently without veterans Denison Cabral (back spasms), Joel Bailey, Wendell Regis, Sumed Ibrahim, Jonathan Steele, Dante Washington and 2006 MVP Adauto Neto, whose return from surgery could be determined soon.
“I think there?s a number of guys here that can challenge for a spot on the squad, and I think ultimately that?s what we want,” Kelly said.
Kelly?s group did a conditioning workout in the morning session Monday and used the afternoon session as a split-squad scrimmage.
Of the training camp invitees, two have local ties ? University of Maryland-Baltimore County products Matt Watson and Derrick McElligott (Greater Grace). Watson, listed as a defender, scored a goal in the scrimmage.
Aside from the veterans who are currently missing time, the team is expecting another seven invitees to join camp this week.
“You don?t want to leave any stone unturned, and let these guys come in that we?ve heard good things about and see what they?re about,” Kelly said.
Saturday?s preseason game with Philadelphia is set for 6 p.m. at Clarence “Du” Burns Arena in Canton. Admission for the game is $5, with all proceeds going to the Brian Hunt Memorial Fund.
