Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: Cup-Tied

The Portland Timbers practiced at the team's Beaverton training facility today, with the team getting in their first workout since Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo.

The early part of practice was dominated by alternating circuit drills around the periphery of the pitch and smaller possession drills held in the center circle. After half an hour on the pitch, the starters from Saturday's match headed indoors for their now customary yoga session, while the rest of the team stayed out for a short field 6v6 match with full-sized goals and keepers.

With one team made up primarily of the Timbers bench players and the other mostly players who had been temporarily recalled from T2 to prevent their being cup-tied in tonight's US Open Cup match between T2 and the Michigan Bucks, the match was somewhat lopsided. George Fochive, Gaston Fernandez, Michael Nanchoff, and Maximiliano Urruti peppered Jake Gleeson's goal with shots, scoring their fair number of goals but also drawing out some excellent saves at close range from the big Kiwi.

Injuries and Absences

Will Johnson trained with the first team today and headed indoors with the starters after playing 90 minutes with T2 over the weekend in their 1-1 draw against the Real Monarchs. Asked about Johnson's availability for this weekend after practice, Porter would not confirm if Johnson would play against Toronto FC or not. He did sound much more confident about Johnson possibly playing in next Wednesday's home match against D.C. United as the Timbers look to manage three games over a period of eight days, their busiest stretch so far this season.

Alvas Powell was absent from today's training session with a sore hip, Porter told the press, saying that the injury had been bothering Powell for the last week. Powell will be available this weekend, Porter said, but the team wanted to get him some rest today.

Of the players loaned to T2 from the first team, only Schillo Tshuma was not in training today. Tshuma, despite a strong preseason, has faded from view in recent weeks, only making occasional appearances in T2 matches. If Tshuma plays in this afternoon's USOC match with T2, he will be cup-tied to the USL side and not available to play for the Timbers in the USOC this year.

Trialists and Guest Players

Danny O'Rourke, who signed with T2 several weeks ago and has been a fixture in first team practice so far this year, was on hand today with the Timbers. Justin Luthy, the other usual T2 trainee with the first team, was not on hand as he will likely be the side's starting keeper in today's match.