Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: +1

EDIT: Some updates have been made to the injuries.

The Portland Timbers got back to training today in Beaverton after returning from their unsuccessful trip to Salt Lake over the weekend. Caleb Porter emphasized that the team was looking to get away from the result against Real Salt Lake, taking out some of their frustrations on the pitch, while looking to limit the potential for further injuries.

Practice started off with the normal warmups on the team's turf training pitch before moving over to the grass field for passing drills. From there the Timbers went to an 8 on 8+1 possession game with an emphasis on working the ball from end to end of the playing area and splitting defenders with one touch passes. Practice wrapped up with a short field game of 4 on 4+1 with additional players supporting from outside the touch lines, giving an advantage when sending the ball out wide.

In both games, Will Johnson was the "+1" and showed off a range of passes and shots that the Timbers have been sorely missing recently. Although perhaps limited in his movement, Johnson made several impressive plays on the day, including an early one touch cross in the possession game that was long, driven, and pinpoint accurate that made the collected press mutter amongst ourselves in appreciation.

Injuries and Absences

Diego Valeri watched practice from the side of the pitch today following his first half groin injury adductor strain against RSL. Porter said that he was unsure if Valeri would be recovered for this weekend's home match against Toronto FC, saying he was "most likely out."

Ryan Miller was out of practice today and will be out for the rest of the year after coming out of Saturday's reserve match. Porter confirmed that Miller had been playing with a previously undiscovered stress fracture that would now require that he have a metal rod inserted into his leg.

Will Johnson was back participating in practice today after missing the last four weeks with an avulsion fracture in his shoulder. Johnson had warmed up with the team last week and done some passing with the trainers, but did not fully participate in practice. He did still hold his arm gingerly and was generally held out of contact situations, but did take part in each drill that the team ran today. Porter said that Johnson "is back and he will be potentially available."

Ryan Johnson, Alvas Powell, and Donovan Ricketts were all not at practice today after being called up by the Jamaican National team for their upcoming World Cup Qualifying matches.

Frederic Piquionne, who has been out since the Timbers match against the Vancouver Whitecaps with an ankle strain, warmed up with the team and took part in the team's passing drills before breaking off to work with the trainers.

Jack Jewsbury, out with another ankle strain, rode an exercise bike on the sidelines for practice today.