Cameron's Corner

My real job will keep me from writing an actual recap of Ian Cameron's press conference this morning, but here are some highlights. Who knows, if you all like this, maybe we'll keep this format. We're still figuring things out here as we go. If we do stick with this, I need a title for this segment. Cameron's Corner sounds like an NBC sitcom that aired after Seinfeld featuring Rob Schneider that was cancelled after four episodes because it lost half it's audience. 

Anyway, here are Cameron's comments leading up to Friday's preseason game against Mercer.

• Coaching in a game against his alma mater is "quite a proud moment" for Cameron. He spoke very highly of his time there as a player and assistant coach and of the coaches he had during his time there. "That institution left and indelible mark on my life and those were, in many ways, my formative years as a young man."
• The roster is about 85% complete. Looking to add a few players before the season starts and will be on the lookout throughout the year to add a spark if a player is available. You'll recall that Mukwelle Akale was a midseason addition to the 2022 title winning team.
• As for the game Friday, the expectation is the players will step on the field with a real desire and commitment to win the game. "I want to see that desire, and if it's not there then it's going to be a long season." He doesn't think that will be an issue.
• There will be a handful of players under contract not playing Friday as they recover from injuries, but Cameron said none of those timelines should result in anyone not being prepared when the season opens.
• Cameron credited the sports science and training staff for there being no injuries so far in training, but said there's always a component of luck when it comes to avoiding injuries.
• The team is starting to gel as players get to know each other. They're focused on creating opportunities for those relationships to grow. "If you've got the right players and the right atmosphere then those organic relationships will start to grow."
• He reiterated that with the schedule set up the way it is, Tormenta will be focused on winning each game each week and will not put more emphasis on winning the regular season title or the playoffs or the newly created USL League One Cup. The goal is to win all of them.
• He discussed the approach Tormenta takes to roster construction. As a general rule, the team focuses on trying to get young, hungry players who are looking to advance their career. "We like young, up-and-coming players. I have an appetite to coach those types of players. Our ownership have an appetite to try to help and mentor those types of players and try to have them feed through our club. That works for us."

I likely won't know until tonight or even tomorrow afternoon if I'll be at Tormenta's game against Mercer or if I'll be watching my oldest make his varsity debut for his high school soccer team. It all depends on if he gets called up from JV to play with the varsity tomorrow night.