This isn’t Drew Moor’s first rodeo, but things are certainly different this time around.
Toronto FC’s South California sojourn marks the 12th preseason campaign for Moor, who signed with the Reds as a free agent in December. Though he’s seen plenty throughout his MLS career, the beginning of each season offers a new set of wrinkles.
“This year being with a new club and organization for the first time in six or seven seasons, it’s reenergized me and refocused me,” said Moor following Monday morning’s training session.
“You have to get used to all the little things in preseason. Whether it be travel, the food you eat or the teammates and the coaching staff around you. Certainly year in and year out preseason seems to get a little bit longer, a little bit tougher, but it’s an important time and it’s a good time to build as a team and get your strongest formations to prepare for the season opener.”
Plenty has changed since Moor’s introduction to the league in 2005, when he was selected sixth overall in the SuperDraft by his hometown club, FC Dallas.
“When I first started in MLS a lot of teams were going to places in Europe and South America,” said Moor. “In recent seasons teams are going to California, Arizona or Florida, like us. and I think that’s important because not only are you not going too far from home but you’re also playing against MLS competition.”
The Reds will take on the LA Galaxy this Saturday to conclude their time on the left coast. In order to gear up for that game TFC has played two college teams, the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Fullerton. Seasoned pros going up against kids hungry to impress their coaches and MLS talent evaluators creates an interesting environment.
“I certainly remember when I was in school and anytime an MLS team was on the schedule in the spring season you woke up for it and you wanted to impress and it’s no different now,” stated Moor.
“It’s always tough in preseason because, yea, you can go out and should be able to take care of college teams but you’re working on a lot of things. You’re familiarizing yourself with your teammates.”
Shape and structure are two of those things the club has been focusing on during their time in Irvine and Moor is a big part of installing a system designed to make the Reds sturdier at the back. The MLS veteran’s personal goal for the preseason is straightforward: insert himself as a vocal cog of the defensive unit.
“I think we’ve been building for that through the first week and a half or so of the preseason,” he said.
“I want to be a big voice there in the back. I hear that’s something that might have been lacking here last season and if I can be a loud voice that will be contagious and the guy next to me, the guy in front of me and the guy behind me will be a loud voice as well.”
The Reds have just over a week left in California before they return to Toronto. Being holed up in a hotel for preseason camp is something the 32-year-old defender knows well, so his advice to some of the younger guys should be heeded.
“Obviously you might go stir crazy in your room, but fortunately we’ve been doing two-a-days a lot and so we’ve been able to get out of the room and out of the hotel. There’s a nice mall close by, there’s this thing called the beach not too far away with some beautiful water. This is a good place. There’s far worse places to be.”
True words indeed.
