:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14938755/tumblr_mojv3wspsz1ru7tqeo1_1280.0.jpg)
The Portland Timbers took a day to get back into a rhythm after Saturday's match against FC Dallas, spending today's training session doing some regen and fitness work before the team heads to Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon. After today's closed training session wrapped up, Caleb Porter gave some insight into his approach to the day's practice.
You need days like today where we didn't do a ton of tactics. We wanted to get the ball moving and we wanted to get their speed of play going again after the game to turn them around. But, at the same time, we need to be careful, mentally, of loading too much tactical stuff on them.
Today the press were let back out onto the pitch after a relatively short practice, by Porter's standards, with most of Saturday's starters already headed indoors. For the reserves, however, there was still some fitness work to be done under the guidance of John Cone and Cameron Knowles.
Injuries and Absences
Futty Danso missed practice today after going down in the 51st minute of Saturday's game against Dallas with a sprained ankle. According to Porter, Futty is day to day and will be evaluated ahead of Wednesday's game.
Jack Jewsbury was also absent from the day's training while attending to family business.
Less surprising was the absence of Donovan Ricketts from the pitch as he continues his regular post-game regen regimen separate from the rest of the team. After practice Donovan confirmed that he was uninjured after the game, and was holding his back late in the game because he is "old, not because of injury."
Dylan Tucker-Ganges continued his absence from training as he goes through the MLS recovery protocols after sustaining a concussion in practice last week.
Of the Timbers who missed time for international duty, all have returned to the team except for Rodney Wallace. Wallace is still with the Costa Rican national team who take on Panama tomorrow night. Caleb Porter indicated that Wallace may still be with the Costa Rican national team on Wednesday, saying "If he's with Costa Rica then he is not available."
Trialists and Guest Players
Two of the Timbers U-23s keepers were at practice as David Meves and Blake Hylan provided some backup for the Timbers first team today. Meves has played every minute of the USL PDL season for the U-23s so far in 2013, posting shutouts in five of the team's eight games.