Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: No Loans Today

The Portland Timbers held a regen session at the team's Beaverton training facility today as they recover from the weekend's hard fought match against the Philadelphia Union. The training session was kept open to the press for the duration.

The proceedings started off with some usual warm up running and basic passing drills. After the passing, however, the Timbers' starters from Saturday went indoors to conclude their training. The rest of the team, however, stayed outdoors and played an intense short field game of 5v5.

Practice Notes

In the short field game Futty Danso and Rauwshan McKenzie were the only central defenders available and consequentally were somewhat abused when left to defend by themselves. Both showed well at closing down attackers, with McKenzie in particular getting some surprising blocks in, but as the game went on they were increasingly left to defend one on two or three as their teammates tired.

Sean McAuley was constantly pushing the teams to play the ball more quickly in the short sided game. After one team fell behind and was regularly giving up the ball after holding it too long, McAuley had them play only one touch, at which point they promptly carved up the other team's defense and only failed to score thanks to a bad touch from Jose Adolfo Valencia.

Jake Gleeson seems to thrive in these short field games. One of his strengths has always been making himself big in close quarters and making the quick reaction save, so his propinquity for good saves in games like this really should be expected.

Injuries and Absences

Diego Chara missed training today after picking up a knock in the Timbers physical match against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Chara was at the training facility today and was glimpsed wearing a small walking boot on his left foot that did not extend up above his ankle.

Donovan Ricketts also was not training with the team today, but in his case it was thanks to his usual independent recovery routine as he worked indoors.

Frederic Piquionne was also not at practice today for personal reasons.

Rodney Wallace had not yet rejoined the Timbers at practice today after Costa Rica's loss to Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup yesterday. Wallace is scheduled to return tomorrow according to the Timbers.

Sebastian Rincon, who had been in Argentina to train and potentially go on loan, was back with the team today. Rincon could still go out on loan this season.

Jose Adolfo Valencia was still at practice today despite persistent rumors from the Colombian and Argentinian press that he will go on loan in Argentina.

Bright Dike continued his return to training today, taking part in the team warmups and passing drills before breaking off to work separately with Cameron Knowles.

David Horst also continued to work on his recovery at practice today. Although Horst is not as far along as Dike and did not take part in any team exercises, he did look to be moving well as he ran sprints down the side of the field under John Cone's direction.

Finally, Dylan Tucker-Gangnes was not on the pitch at practice today as he continues his recovery from a concussion suffered in practice three weeks ago.