Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: So Long Songo'o, Ta-Ta Taylor

The Timbers held a closed practice today at Jeld-Wen Field as the team continues their preparations for Sunday's home opener against the New Yok Red Bulls. The stadium was buzzing with people as beer deliveries, grounds crew, and representatives from ESPN make their preparations for the weekend.

As practice began the Timbers sent out a press release announcing the waiving of 2011 draft-pick Chris Taylor and fan-favorite midfielder Franck Songo'o. Taylor, who has been with the team since the move to MLS and was characterized by one Timbers staffer as "part of the family", will continue training with the team for the immediate future.

Trialists and Guest Players

Kyle Altman and David Meves both continued their training with the team today.

Injuries and Absences

Mikael Silvestre had not yet arrived in Portland and was not at practice today. Tomorrow is a day off before practice resumes on Friday, so it seems likely that we will see him then.

Jack Jewsbury continued getting closer to a return to full team training today, doing some jogging around the pitch around the pitch with Chris Taylor before practice was shut down. When the press were allowed back out to catch the end of practice Jewsbury was still out there, passing the ball back and forth with trainer Jun Morishita.

David Horst continued his absence from practice today. On Monday, Caleb Porter remarked that Horst's groin strain was continuing to cause him problems and that he could be out another couple of weeks.

Milos Kocic and Donovan Ricketts were both on the pitch for warm-ups for the first time this week after the Timbers' two senior goalkeepers spent Monday and Tuesday working in the gym. At the end of the session Ricketts was still out on the pitch, while Kocic was already inside as he tries to recover from a pulled hamstring.

Hanyer Mosquera also warmed up with the team today but was no longer out there at the end of practice.