It was a travel day for the team yesterday and that gave us a perfect opportunity to pick Garth’s brain a bit about the contents of his squad. We played a bit of a word association game with the GM, mentioning players individually and asking him to give us his “stream of consciousness” responses about each player.

We’ll be posting his responses in two groups, starting with the goalkeepers and defenders today and finishing with the midfield and strikeforce tomorrow. Here goes…

GOALKEEPING CONTINGENT: “Very very good … we’ve been in the top 5 in the League in GAA, Nick Rimando was unquestionably our team MVP in 2007 … we also have not one but two terrific young goalkeepers.”

#18 – Nick Rimando – “Nicky continues to be the best shot-stopper in MLS – his distribution is unequalled, and our defenders have the utmost confidence in him.”

#1 – Chris Seitz – “Chris has made big strides, it’s been very good to have him with us for a long stretch of the preseason … Tangible progress has been made, which is great for a young ‘keeper.”

#24 – Kyle Reynish – “A very underrated talent … If people got to see him train day in, day out, they would understand that he’s very good.”

#40- Steve Clark – “He’s another athletic young keeper … with great spirit and attitude.”

THE DEFENDERS: “We have a terrific blend of youth, athleticism and experience … Five guys who have been through all sorts of situations and two tremendous young players … We should be in the top 5 among League defenses.”

#6 – Nat Borchers – “Savvy, smart, and tactically, one of the best defenders in MLS … Nat is boringly consistent, and as a result, consistently successful.”

#4 – Jamison Olave – “The most athletically-gifted defender in the League … He could be utterly dominant with the elimination of concentration lapses.”

#17 – Chris Wingert – “Chris is a major leader of this team … A late-bloomer who continuously gets better.”

#13 – Ian Joy – “Ian is a scrappy, fiery, hardworking, tough, tough player.”

#2 – Tony Beltran – “Tony has an incredible motor, he’s a good soccer player, and has the potential to be an everyday starter.”

#33 – David Horst – “David has enjoyed the best preseason of any player … In the last year, he has taken a huge step forward; now he just needs to play at consistently high level all the time.”

#3 – Robbie Russell – “Robbie has the physical qualities to be an  intimidating, imposing force in MLS … Injuries have taken away chance to take ownership of a position … He has skill and pace, and is certainly the most athletically gifted player to ever play at Duke.”

See you tomorrow with part deux…