Watching even one half of a World Cup soccer game is enough to become awed by the players’ athleticism.
They sprint, constantly changing direction, for two 45-minute halves, using a combination of power and agility.
“The game has gotten so much faster and more explosive over the last few years,” says Eric Gorman , strength and conditioning coach for the New York Red Bulls, where U.S. World Cup captain Tyler Adams cut his teeth.
“Our training programs put a huge emphasis on sprinting.”