Sunny skies and warm temperatures in Orlando await Toronto FC this weekend, but Thursday’s morning training session provided a dose of the currently reality. They’re not on the plane yet.

Greg Vanney and his coaching staff is putting their charges through the paces during the opening week of training camp. Two-a-day sessions at the KIA Training Ground ensure two things are getting accomplished.

Obviously the first order of business is seeing where the players are at fitness wise. In that regard, Jim Liston, TFC’s director of Sports Science, has been impressed.

“Our veteran group came in ready for training camp,” said Liston. “Two days before it even started we had 11 guys in and it was excellent.”

“They were really ready for this.”

Mark Bloom, fresh off signing a new contract and offseason surgery, has noticed the subtle changes from last season’s approach to the early days of camp.

“It seems more focused and organized,” said Bloom.

The second thing getting accomplished is happening off the field. With a considerable gap between the two sessions, the players, some unfamiliar with their current surroundings, are hanging out quite a bit.

As anyone that has played FIFA against a friend knows, nothing brings out your true emotions like getting stomped 5-2 at the Bernabeu.

“Of course it was all be design,” Liston says, laughing.

”It’s one of the great parts about the preseason. There’s a lot of learning going on. You’re striving together to be great and you’re paying the price a little bit physically and then in those down moments you learn a little bit more about your teammates.”

“Anytime you’re stuck in one place with about 25 guys it’s bound to happen,” said Bloom. “There’s a lot of characters in the room so it quickly becomes a bonding experience.“

As long as the controller doesn't end up in the TV we're all good. 

Draft Picks impress

The veterans came into camp ready, but that wasn’t exactly a surprise. Players kept in contact with the coaching staff via Sports Office throughout the offseason, inputting their daily workout schedules, diet and more.

The rookies, all eight of them, and nine if you include recently signed homegrown player Jay Chapman, didn’t have access to those tools, but Liston has liked what he’s seen this week.

“I think we’ve got a really dedicated and committed group of draft picks that came in here prepared and there’s nothing better than that,” he said.

Among the most impressive players so far has been Clemont Simonin, the unheralded centre back from North Carolina State. 

A scouting report on Cheyrou

Toronto FC dipped into the transfer market once again on Thursday with the signing of French midfielder Benoit Cheyrou.

Cheyrou’s Ligue 1 resume is impressive. He’s made over 400 appearances in the French top flight and over 200 for Marseille alone, where he also appeared in the Champions League.

For more insight on what Cheyrou can bring to the Reds, we spoke to Andrew Gibney, creator of French Football Weekly.

"Last season Cheyrou continued to demonstrate his superb technique on the ball. Be it a 40-yard cross field pass or a dangerous free-kick, his left-foot is deadly. He’s often the man before the assist, helping Marseille build attacks from deep.
Both his goals last season showed the same qualities he’s always had. Timing his run to perfection to finish at the back post or taking up position on the edge of the box to score from distance.
His intelligence has improved with age. As a duo, Michael Bradley and Cheyrou will complement each other well.”