Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: On the Way to LA

After starting the morning off with a video session, the Portland Timbers held a short practice at their Beaverton training facility before heading to LA this afternoon. Spirits around training were high as they players joked with each other while leaving the locker room.

According to Will Johnson, however, the team knows not to get too high on themselves.

I think any time you have success there is always a tendency to have that go to your head a little bit. I think we have to be aware of that and we have to manage that, but with the group of guys that we have on this team I don't see that being a problem. We know that if we don't compete every single game or if we don't outwork the other team as a starting point in our efforts then we won't win.

Injuries and Absences

Futty Danso missed practice again today with the sprained ankle that he suffered against FC Dallas. Futty did make an appearance at training, riding an exercise cycle alongside David Horst, although he did not get on the field while practice was open. Yesterday Caleb Porter confirmed that Futty would be evaluated again ahead of tomorrow's game, but his continued absence from practice does not bode well for the possibility of him lining up along side Pa Modou Ka against LA.

Jack Jewsbury returned to practice today after missing time for family business yesterday.

Dylan Tucker-Gangnes continued missing practice today as he completes the MLS return to play protocol after suffering a concussion. DTG has not yet been sighted around training, which makes it seem likely that he is still working through the initial concussion symptoms and has not yet started the later stages of the protocol.

Rodney Wallace is still with the Costa Rican national team ahead of tonight's match against Panama.

Trialists and Guest Players

David Meves was the team's only non-roster player today. Meves and the U-23s play this Friday in Milwaukie.