Wrapping up preparations before Sunday's derby against the Seattle Sounders, the Portland Timbers trained at their Beaverton training complex. As usual, it was a closed session. The last practice before the match, it was a short session, only about an hour long.

Eric Brunner and Rodney Wallace continued their absence, still recovering from their ailments. The team expects Wallace to return next week, but there is still no timetable for Brunner's return.

In his post-training comments Coach John Spencer said Mwanga would be a possible starter tomorrow. He also suggested that the team had been expecting the league's decision to suspend Hanyer Mosquera -- Futty will almost certainly start in his place.

Spencer's full comments, plus a chat with Jack Jewsbury, follow the jump.

John Spencer

Jack Jewsbury