Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has challenged his fringe players to grab their opportunity to shine in the United States – as the first pictures emerged from the Dons’ week-long winter break camp in Atlanta.
Aberdeen will face an Atlanta United XI in a friendly at the MLS clubs’ training complex on Wednesday.
Four first-team regulars – Bojan Miovski, Ylber Ramadani, Connor Barron and Liam Scales – did not fly out to the US due to international duty.
Their absence will leave space in the squad for the friendly, which kicks off at 2pm EST (8pm GMT).
Goodwin confirmed fringe players will get game time against Atlanta, the Dons’ strategic partners.
This is likely to open up a chance to impress for players like Christian Ramirez, Marley Watkins, Shayden Morris and Vicente Besuijen, who have fallen out of the starting line-up.
Goodwin – who put the travelling through their paces at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta training ground for the first time on Tuesday – said: “We have a game against Atlanta United XI.
“It will be a good opportunity for a lot of the guys who haven’t played a great deal of football up to now to get some invaluable minutes.
Pictures from Aberdeen’s first Atlanta training session (part one):
“We will make the most of it and will work on one or two things.
“Some of the players are away on international duty, so we are limited to what we can do with the group.
“However, there are certainly elements of our game we can work on in Atlanta in good facilities.”
Training at Atlanta’s $60 million compound
Aberdeen went through their first training session today at the $60 million Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta facility – in weather which looked not dissimilar to the conditions they’d normally face in the Granite City in November.
Situated in the suburb of Marietta, north of the city, the 33-acre training complex includes six full-size pitches.
Three of those pitches are natural grass with the others FieldTurf surfaces.
Pictures from Aberdeen’s first Atlanta training session (part two):
The state-of-the-art facility also includes a show pitch featuring a 2,500-seat stand and separate pavilion for viewing.
On top of this, the sport science facilities include two hydrotherapy plunge pools.
Strengthening bond with Atlanta
Aberdeen entered into a strategic partnership with Atlanta United in November 2019.
It was geared towards boosting football and commercial operations for both clubs.
🆎🆕 As @AberdeenFC fly to Atlanta for a winter camp ✈️, read part one of our 'Aberlanta and Beyond' series on the Dons' work with partner clubs.
Part 1 is DoF @steven_gunn22 on talent exchanges and how the Reds and @ATLUTD's scouts work together.https://t.co/hcBx4M57Wk pic.twitter.com/GbBjgAzx40
— EveningExpress Sport (@ee_sport) November 14, 2022
While the players will face an Atlanta United XI, Goodwin and his backroom staff will also meet up with the MLS club’s staff.
Head of Recruitment Darren Mowbray is with the Dons in the States.
Mowbray, who recently returned from a scouting trip to Ghana, will hold talks with the MLS club’s recruitment team.
Goodwin is also looking forward to exchanging ideas with Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda – the former Mexico midfielder.
Goodwin said: “I think it is important for any young manager to try to utilise the extensive network we have all built up over the years.
“You don’t often get the opportunity to sit down with some of the other managers in the Premiership.
“And we are all a little bit reluctant to share any good ideas we might have.”
Time off for Aberdeen players and staff after US camp
Explaining the schedule for the Aberdeen players and staff after the Atlanta trip concludes, Goodwin added: “There will also be a little bit of down-time in Atlanta.
“The players deserve that considering how well they have done up until now.
“They will then get a week off – one or two of them will go abroad.
“We have quite a few players from down south who no doubt will enjoy time with their families.
“Then we will be back at it.
“As much as it looks like a long break because of the length of the World Cup, the boys will get just shy of two weeks off.
“Then we will be back at it preparing for what is going to be challenging fixtures.
“We have back-to-back games at Pittodrie against Celtic (December 17) and Rangers (Dec 20).
“Then a really difficult trip away to St Mirren (Dec 24), who are going really well.
“It will be a nice, welcome break.
“We will all get to spend time with our families, who are all very patient and supportive because it is quite a selfish game we are involved in.
“I’m off in Atlanta for a week while my wife looks after the three kids.
“We couldn’t do it without their support – that’s for sure.”
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