Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: Every Day is Preparation

The Portland Timbers held a short but intense practice this morning at their Beaverton training facility. The Timbers, who are in the midst of a nine day stretch between games, received a pep talk consisting mostly of profanity and the information that the LA Galaxy are going to be well prepared so the Timbers had better be as well from assistant coach Sean McAuley. After McAuley finished up his speech, he team started their warmups and then closed practice shortly thereafter.

Injuries and Absences

After riding an exercise bike on the sidelines of practice yesterday, Diego Valeri was back in the warmups today. Valeri, who yesterday was still tight after Friday's match according to Caleb Porter, is expected to be healthy by the game against the Galaxy this weekend.

Frederic Piquionne, who has been back in the warmups repeatedly over the last week, was once again warming up with the team. Piquionne has been out since injuring his ankle when the Timbers hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps back in early August.

Steven Evans and Mikael Silvestre both warmed up with the team for the second day in a row. The pair are both making their return from injury at the same time, an ankle sprain and knee surgery, respectively.

David Horst, who has been a regular in practice recently as he gets back to full fitness following a knee surgery of his own, has out there again today. After practice wrapped up and the press was allowed back out onto the field, Horst was still out there, talking extensively with McAuley and John Cone, who have been guiding his progress.

Pardon the short length of this one, but I have to get to work.