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Latest From Training Camp: March 16-19
March 21, 2024
2024 Season 2024 Training Camp Atlético San Luis Training Camp Mexico

It’s been an eventful past few days here in Mexico. Two scrimmages and a live Liga MX match all packed into three days. The preseason schedule is picking up and there is lots of action to cover.

The squad started off the weekend with their first scrimmage in Mexico against Querétaro FC on Saturday, March 16. Being that it was the squad’s first competitive match together, the first 10 minutes was a bit frantic as the team showed signs of rust early on.  The team was getting bombarded, with Rayane Yesli making great back-to-back saves, but Querétaro FC eventually broke through scoring off a corner kick. Once the team finally got settled in, the boys began dominating the possession, creating chance after chance, but ultimately couldn’t capitalize on any of them. The scrimmage ended in a 1-0 loss.

 

 

(Trialist centre-back Loic Cloutier | Photo Credit: Chris Hue)
(Ballou Tabla giving pre-game advice to 2023 U-SPORTS Draft Pick Lucca Piccioli | Photo Credit: Chris Hue)

 

Notably, in the second half we saw CF Montreal academy product & trialist Loic Clouitier enter the match. He showed great composure and poise with the ball at his feet and also made great defensive plays blocking shots and clearing balls away. The young centre-back is making a strong case for himself and showing why he was a key part of Canada’s U20 Squad. Our 2023 U-SPORTS Draft pick Luca Piccioli also spent time manning the midfield and nearly scored after Alberto Zapater fed him a through ball resulting in a 1v1 situation with the goalkeeper.

After the scrimmage, the team packed up their bags and goodbye to the beautiful city of Querétaro and made their way to San Luis. The bus hit a bump in the road, catching a flat tire. The bus had to pullover to the side of the road, and luckily there was a mechanic garage nearby. This provided a chance for the players to step off the bus and enjoy the fresh air of the Mexican countryside. The tire change took around 45 minutes to an hour. During the wait, the Mexican National Guard stopped by and Alberto Zapater chatted with them.

After arriving in San Luis, the next day the team headed to the Atlético de San Luis training facility where Nate & Ollie ran into some familiar faces.

At the facility, the team had a light training session, focusing more on recovery after playing Querétaro FC and then travelling the night before. As the evening approached, the team prepared for their first group outing (If you don’t count the bus breaking down as a team bonding experience). Our gracious hosts Atlético de San Luis invited us to attend their LIGA MX match against Pachucha. It was quite the night as our brothers Atlético de San Luis won 2-1 in a dramatic fashion. It was also cool seeing at the half many fans in the stadium approaching and interacting with our guys, asking for photos and striking up conversations. We definitely felt the love from the Atleti family that night.

We would have to transition from cheering on San Luis to competing against them the next day in a scrimmage match. Prior to kickoff, both teams came together for a massive group photo, symbolizing an iconic moment in the Atleti history books.

Atlético de San Luis drew blood first as they took advantage of a turnover in our end. The boys responded by showing grit and determination as they battled back. It wasn’t until the 80th minute when Sam Salter lead the counter attack and cut the ball across to Matteo de Brienne who put it in the back of the net.

The final whistle blew, then everything went back to all love between the both teams. It was a chance for players from both teams to hangout and chat on the field and connect. The fans and media in attendance also got the chance to take photos and speak with the players.

(Ollie Bassett standing with Atlético de San Luis Player Vitinho | Photo Credit: Chris Hue)

The next day was an important recovery day for the squad after the guys logged a lot of minutes through the past few days. It’s also a good chance to reset and recharge for many of the players with a busy schedule remaining during their time in Mexico.

The team will continue to have two training sessions per day until the team’s next scrimmage match against the Atlético de San Luis U23 Squad on March 23. After that, the team will have one last scrimmage match against Mineros de Zacatecas on March 27th.

Be sure to follow with our ‘Latest From Training Camp” blog series to stay up to date with all the action as the team is training in Mexico!