"Everyone's basically grinding for something,"
"For me, it's trying to make the World Cup."
"Every time you play against the guys from your hometown ... you kind of innately want to prove your worth,"
"You want to be the top dog in the city that you're from."
A group of 10 to 12 predominantly USL players gather annually in Fresno parks during winter to train together and maintain fitness for the new year. The sessions combine amicable competition and focused preparation, helping players seeking new contracts and those aiming to stay match-ready. Columbus Crew full back Max Arfsten uses these hometown practices as part of his buildup for the 2026 World Cup and to keep his rhythm between MLS seasons. MLS schedules leave many players with a multi-month gap between competitive matches, and the league will shift to a summer-to-spring calendar in 2027, shortening the winter break. The offseason break remains important for recovery.
Read at ESPN.com
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