06’ Hawaii Rush midfielder Ally Yoshimura was selected to train at the id2 Training Camp in Chula Vista, CA. Ally went to the camp with four of her Rush teammates where they trained for three days during December 5th through 8th.
According to US Club Soccer, the id2 National Identification and Development Program, “provides an opportunity for the country’s elite youth soccer players to be identified and developed, and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer National Team programs”. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program (ODP) where players work with the best coaches and play with and against some of the nation’s best players.
When Ally was selected to train at the id2 Training Camp, she got to work preparing for it. “Before I left for the camp, I prepared by always staying focused during our club practice. I also practiced on my own by going to the park with tennis courts to work on my technique on striking the ball and working on my footwork.”
Ally attended the camp with four of her Hawaii Rush teammates: Kai, Summer, Hunter, and Tavena. The players were placed in dorm rooms at check-in with three other players and were given their schedules.
“We had three two-hour training sessions, two scrimmages and two classroom sessions in three days,” she recalls. “In training we played a few small sided games, drills to practice your movement off the ball, and getting width and depth on the field.”
“My biggest takeaway from this camp,” Ally stated, “was the communication between the other midfielder to midfield rotation.”
Ally has been playing competitive soccer since she was seven years old. “The thing that I love the most about soccer is it always helps me clear my mind about anything that happened throughout the day. When I'm at practice or playing a soccer game, my mind is cleared and my only focus is soccer.” She also loves soccer because she can be creative and work with her team to accomplish the task.
Moving forward, Ally hopes to take everything she learned from the coaches at the id2 Training Camp and include it in her game.
“I will take the coach's advice to help me improve my game and become a better player.”
Rush is very proud to see its players working hard to improve their game. Ally is a great representation of a player who is willing to learn from coaches to take it to the next level.