4 Battles to Watch During Waterdogs Training Camp

PLL players will arrive in Albany, New York, for training camp on May 27, and practices will take place over the next three days. During that time, Waterdogs LC will be upping the intensity.

“We want to make training camp a little bit more competitive than it’s been in years past,” said Waterdogs head coach Andy Copelan. 

With 32 players on the current squad – including four on the PUP list – the Waterdogs have cuts to make and roles to determine before 25-man rosters are announced on May 31. 

Copelan said the Waterdogs have an “awfully good” camp roster, and the coaching staff will make whatever decisions put them in the best position to repeat as champions. The coaches want to evaluate each new face within the confines of the offense and “let the process be the process.”

“This is never about trying to create a situation with as much talent as possible,” Copelan said. “It’s creating a situation where everyone is connected within the offense. Whoever does that best will get the nod.” 

Copelan cares more about fit than ability. So with that in mind, here are some training camp battles to monitor:

Jake Carraway vs Ethan Walker: Attack or Midfield?

Jake Carraway, the Waterdogs’ big free agent signing, was a controversial addition and will be the storyline during training camp. After falling out of favor with the Atlas coaching staff following some excessive behavior as a rookie, Carraway only appeared in two games last season. 

But the third-year attack is looking to “reinvent himself” with the Waterdogs, Copelan said. Carraway doesn’t have a role carved out for him, though. He’ll have to earn his spot in the rotation as the coaches evaluate where he fits best within the offense.