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Ousman Jabang isn’t sweating New Mexico United’s trip to the East Coast — humidity, time difference and all.
Consider the defender a fan of the Eastern Seaboard.
“I love the East Coast. That’s where I’m from,” said Jabang, who grew up outside Atlanta. “So I love the humidity, the greenery, all that. So it’s no problem for me. … It’s a fun trip.”
Even the travel? That might be up for some debate — from most anyway.
At a little more than 2,100 miles, Saturday’s match at Hartford Athletic (3-2-4) in Connecticut will be the longest of United’s scheduled seven road trips that cover at least 1,000 miles. The Aug. 22 match at Loudoun United FC in Virginia will be the second longest at just under 1,900.
“Honestly, I’m used to (the travel),” midfielder Zico Bailey said. “Sometimes I go away with the (Filipino) national team and it’s 15 hours ahead. So like two or three hours? You get used to it.”
It turns out, the players receive a little help with any kind of adjustment periods, courtesy of manager Dennis Sanchez.
No sense in taking United (4-4-1) too much out of its preferred routine. And sometimes, less is better.
“I know as a coach, when we go on the road, I try to give the players as much time on their own as they can just to kind of chill, relax, do their own things, while obviously still staying focused on the game,” Sanchez said Wednesday, a day before the club’s departure. “They hear my voice enough during the week that come Friday, Saturday, it’s their time and really (it’s) just about them getting themselves right for the game.”
There’s just the matter of how players choose to spend that downtime leading up to a match. Unsurprisingly, in rather ordinary and relatable ways.
Some, like Jabang, might take a little stroll in the morning to “get some fresh air.” More often than not, it’s about “chilling with the guys.” Super Smash Bros. is a popular video game, while 22 is the preferred card game.
So, who tends to run the show? Hey, someone has to win and others lose.
“Depends on what game you’re talking about,” Bailey said with a laugh. “(Jabang) can speak on the last trip.”
His answer? You probably guessed.
“The last trip, (Bailey) wasn’t there, so it was all me,” Jabang said. “Usually we’re two of the top and a couple of other guys float in here and there.”
Sounds like some teammates need to step up their game — off the pitch.
But those can be the benefits of road trips.
“This is part of being part of the professional game, you got to adapt,” Sanchez said. “This mindset mentality we talk about, ‘anytime, anywhere,’ regardless of who we’re playing (or) where we’re playing — dirt field, turf field, grass, perfect conditions, non-perfect conditions — we have to adapt.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
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*
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Consider the defender a fan of the Eastern Seaboard.
“I love the East Coast. That’s where I’m from,” said Jabang, who grew up outside Atlanta. “So I love the humidity, the greenery, all that. So it’s no problem for me. … It’s a fun trip.”
Even the travel? That might be up for some debate — from most anyway.
At a little more than 2,100 miles, Saturday’s match at Hartford Athletic (3-2-4) in Connecticut will be the longest of United’s scheduled seven road trips that cover at least 1,000 miles. The Aug. 22 match at Loudoun United FC in Virginia will be the second longest at just under 1,900.
“Honestly, I’m used to (the travel),” midfielder Zico Bailey said. “Sometimes I go away with the (Filipino) national team and it’s 15 hours ahead. So like two or three hours? You get used to it.”
It turns out, the players receive a little help with any kind of adjustment periods, courtesy of manager Dennis Sanchez.
No sense in taking United (4-4-1) too much out of its preferred routine. And sometimes, less is better.
“I know as a coach, when we go on the road, I try to give the players as much time on their own as they can just to kind of chill, relax, do their own things, while obviously still staying focused on the game,” Sanchez said Wednesday, a day before the club’s departure. “They hear my voice enough during the week that come Friday, Saturday, it’s their time and really (it’s) just about them getting themselves right for the game.”
There’s just the matter of how players choose to spend that downtime leading up to a match. Unsurprisingly, in rather ordinary and relatable ways.
Some, like Jabang, might take a little stroll in the morning to “get some fresh air.” More often than not, it’s about “chilling with the guys.” Super Smash Bros. is a popular video game, while 22 is the preferred card game.
So, who tends to run the show? Hey, someone has to win and others lose.
“Depends on what game you’re talking about,” Bailey said with a laugh. “(Jabang) can speak on the last trip.”
His answer? You probably guessed.
“The last trip, (Bailey) wasn’t there, so it was all me,” Jabang said. “Usually we’re two of the top and a couple of other guys float in here and there.”
Sounds like some teammates need to step up their game — off the pitch.
But those can be the benefits of road trips.
“This is part of being part of the professional game, you got to adapt,” Sanchez said. “This mindset mentality we talk about, ‘anytime, anywhere,’ regardless of who we’re playing (or) where we’re playing — dirt field, turf field, grass, perfect conditions, non-perfect conditions — we have to adapt.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
More New Mexico United reading
*
Keller's late goal and Griddy dance lift United
NMU defender Kipp Keller scored in the 81st minute to secure a win over Charleston Battery, then celebrated with a signature dance move
*
Match day: Charleston Battery at New Mexico United
NMU looks to snap streak against another top club from Eastern Conference
*
A star is born? A look at the making of NM United's release video for new kit
Players took on different roles in 'Breakfast Club'-inspired skit
*
Tampa Bay does just enough against NM United to stay unbeaten
Louis Perez’s 5th-minute goal lifts league-leading Rowdies
*
Match day: Tampa Bay Rowdies at New Mexico United
NMU is back at home and will host league-best Rowdies
*
APS project invites United players to be models for student artists
NMU defender Chris Gloster club's latest United in Art participant
*
For NM United, State Fairgrounds 'our first choice right now' for stadium
With Balloon Fiesta Park proposal still mired in legal hurdles, NMU has turned attention elsewhere
*
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Jonas Fjeldberg leads Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in rout
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NMU resumes USL Cup play against old nemesis
*
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