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The Philadelphia Union officially opened their 2012 preseason camp on Jan. 25 (via Philadelphia Union).
However, the team won't jump straight into soccer oriented training. The players are expected to keep in shape during the offseason but the Union will ease into what will be seven weeks of preseason training.
The club will begin by conducting entrance physicals on Wednesday night, followed by concussion and Omegawave testing - a system that monitors players' biological systems and provides a picture of how they respond to the physical and mental stress of training - on Thursday. Friday will consist of fitness testing, including vertical leap assessment and the Beep Test, which measures endurance.
The first full training session will not take place until next Monday. The Union will travel to Orlando to train from Feb. 5-19 as part of their sponsorship deal with Bimbo Bakeries USA. As part of the trip, Philadelphia will play USL Pro side Orlando City on Feb. 18 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The Union begin their 2012 MLS season on the road against the Portland Timbers on March 12.
For more coverage of the Union, visit our team page or our blog The Brotherly Game.