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The Portland Timbers practiced at their Beaverton training today as the team beings their preparations before taking on the Colorado Rapids this Friday. Practice was briefly open for warmups before being closed to the press. With only two days of field practice this week, the Timbers have been concentrating on coming out fresh against a team that is above them on the league table.
Will Johnson took a moment to talk about the Timbers' goals for the remainder of the season.
We're aware of where we stand right now. We sit in the last spot above ther red line, so obviously there is a sense of urgency to progress. We still have our eyes set on one of those top three places, but we're taking it one game at a time and Friday night is a big one for us, no doubt.
As the Timbers strive for a spot in the playoffs, Johnson seemed excited at the prospect of playing so many matches against fellow contenders in the Western Conference.
They're six-pointers. They're the reason we play the game. They're fun, they're intense, they're exciting. It's good to play all of these loaded Western Conference rivals at the end of the year. That's what it's all about.
Injuries and Absences
Mikael Silvestre, Frederic Piquionne, and and Steven Evans all worked out on the sidelines of practice today, doing some running under the direction of John Cone. Silvestre has been steeping up his appearances on the pitch over the course of the last week as he makes his return from a torn ACL suffered back at the beginning of May. Piquionne and Evans, meanwhile, are both rehabbing ankle injuries.
Jack Jewsbury, who sat out last week with an ankle injury of his own, was back in training today and warmed up with the team. After practice, Jewsbury confirmed that he participated in the full training today.
Diego Valeri was in the team warmup again this week after playing 45' against Chivas USA. Valeri has been recovering from an adductor strain that he picked up against Real Salt Lake in August.
Alvas Powell, yet another Timber with an ankle knock, was in the warmups again today.