Junior goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave is one of several Cougars who have played with the now defunct reserve team or trained with the 2009 MLS Cup Champs.  Here are some of Cory’s thought from that experience, about a month ago.

“I’m really not quite sure, but I think RSL first knew about me from Bryan. He has trained with them for some time and he approached me asking if I would be interested in doing it if he couldn’t make it or something.  Then one morning in May (maybe?) I got a call from Coach Watkins who said the RSL goalkeeper coach contacted him.  He asked me if I wanted to go train with them that morning, which I obviously agreed to.

So I went to Rio Tinto Stadium and signed a bunch of papers and what not. They gave me my training gear.  Met a few of the guys, but mostly just kept to myself in the locker room.  Then 30 minutes before training starts we head down to Xango field, their practice field.  I had a Chemistry test to take so I drove myself down so I could back to school.  Since the first time, the keeper coach has called me a few other times to come.

I was pretty nervous at the start, and still get that way a little, but its getting better.  It takes a few reps in warm-ups and they usually go away.   It’s that little kid feeling. You always dream of being a “professional soccer player” and for me this is probably the closest to it that I will ever get.

Each training, the keepers train for about 40 minutes then we move to playing small-sided games.  It’s been great for me because of the coaching I’m able to get to fix bad habits I’ve fallen into.  It’s great to be around the higher level of soccer.  I still make some “rookie” mistakes because of nerves or inexperience, but when I’m able to settle down, stop thinking so much and just play, then I honestly feel pretty comfortable and confident in playing against them.  It just takes one save to give you that boost.

Training with them gives me confidence because I’m improving and that usually carries over to our training.  At the same time, it keeps me plenty humble because at least once a practice I’ll take a wrist-breaking shot, or a shot to the face or stomach.  They do a good job of picking on the new guy. But it’s all good just to be there.”Tweet