Portland Timbers Loan Shuffle: Players Return, Sent Out, Generally Moved Around

At today's practice session, Caleb Porter gave the press the rundown on the Portland Timbers' latest loan moves as they look to get some playing time for the players who have not cracked the first team.

"That's a part of our process: sending guys out and bringing them back from time to time to see how they have been evolving as players," Porter said of the team's most recent moves.

"In some situations it has gone well because they have played, in some situations it hasn't gone as well because they haven't played, but I think that is all part of the process of developing as a player," Porter said. "You go into a situation and sometimes you gain through playing, sometimes you gain through not playing, but at the end of the day we are going to send guys out to get those experiences, because if they are not playing here they need to be in a situation where they have a chance to play."

Returning to the Timbers

Aaron Long was recalled from his loan with Sacramento Republic FC and was in training today with the Timbers. Long made two appearances, one of which was a start, with the Republic, totaling 99 minutes of play for the new USL club. The Republic have played five games so far this year.

Schillo Tshuma is also making his return to the Timbers this week and is expected to be in practice tomorrow. Tshuma had been on loan with the Orange County Blue where he did not make an appearance in the team's four games.

Changing Teams

Bryan Gallego, who was also on loan with the Republic initially, was moved to Arizona United SC in search of playing time after failing to get onto the pitch for Sacramento. United play in the USL Pro division and were formed after Phoenix FC folded following the 2013 season. Timbers fans will recognize former Timber Charles Renken on the United roster.

Going on Loan

Rauwshan McKenzie will be the first senior field player sent out on loan this year from the Timbers as he heads to the Blues in search of playing time. McKenzie was expected to challenge Futty Danso for the Timbers' third center-back slot this year, but so far has been unable to get past Futty or newcomer Norberto Paparatto on the depth chart.

George Fochive will take Long's place in Sacramento when he joins the Republic later this week. Fochive was still with the team at practice today.

Staying Put

Taylor Peay will be on hand with the Blues to welcome McKenzie to California. Since joining the Blues on loan, Peay has made two appearances (it could be more, but USL Pro stats are difficult) for 96 minutes.

Jake Gleeson remains on loan with the Republic, where he has played three of the team's five games Gleeson had to be pulled from the Republic's third game of the season after taking a knock that has continued to keep him off the game day roster. Gleeson was named to the USL Pro Team of the Week in week two of the season.

Jose Adolfo Valencia is still in Argentina on loan with Club Olimpo. Although the specifics have not been released, it is rumored that Valencia is on a year long loan with an option to buy and is not able to be recalled. Since going on loan, Valencia has scored six goals in fifteen appearances and is the team's leading scorer, only one goal off the pace of the league's two leading scorers.