Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: Urruti Arrives

A newly reinforced Portland Timbers squad practiced today at the team's Beaverton training center. With training open to the press while the team got back into the swing of things this week, Maximiliano Urruti, acquired by the Timbers this morning from Toronto FC, was on display for all to see.

Today's session started off on the Timbers' grass playing field rather than the artifical surface that the Timbers normal use for warmups. After a long period of jogging and stretching, the Timbers who played Real Salt Lake to a 1-1 draw in yesterday's reserves match, with the exception of David Horst, were allowed to leave or went indoors for treatment. The rest of the group who played on Saturday against Toronto stayed on the pitch.

The full group started off with a series of passing drills emphasizing quick passing and movement off the ball before splitting into two groups: the centerbacks and everyone else. Sean McAuley took Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Pa Modou Kah, and David Horst to one end of the pitch where they worked on heading clear chipped in balls and crosses. At the other end of the pitch, the wide players worked on their crosses and penetrating passes into the box, while the forwards and central midfielders worked on their finishing.

Finally, after the entire team finished shelling the keepers and headed indoors, the Timbers' coaching staff kept Urruti outside for some additional finishing drills. Although the press's vantage point was not ideal, it was clear that Urruti has a good touch on the ball and a knack for firing it home.

Injuries and Absences

Diego Valeri did not train today, instead watching practice from the sidelines. According to Caleb Porter, the team is taking its time with Valeri as, despite playing 15' on Saturday, he is not yet 100% fit.

Mikael Silvestre was at the Timbers' training facility today, first doing some jogging around the perimeter of the field then on the pitch under the guidance of John Cone.

Jack Jewsbury and Frederic Piquionne both warmed up with the team today as they work their way back to fitness from a pair of ankle injuries. After warmups both players joined Silvestre for some jogging. Jewsbury, whose injury appears to be the least troublesome, stayed on the pitch for the longest.

Futty Danso, after playing 90' with the reserves yesterday, warmed up with the team as well before heading to the sidelines to ride an exercise bike.

Brent Richards was also riding a bike on the sidelines today, but he did not take part in warmups.

Steven Evans, who was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle to the ankle in yesterday's reserves match, watched training today from the sidelines and was wearing a protective boot.

Alvas Powell, Donovan Ricketts, and Ryan Johnson were all still with the Jamaican National Team today. Caleb Porter confirmed that Powell picked up an ankle knock during Friday's World Cup Qualifier, but could not confirm the extent of it.