Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: Bouncing Back

The Portland Timbers were back on the pitch today for the first time after returning home from the team's 5-0 loss to the LA Galaxy on Wednesday and the mood was upbeat despite the hard loss.

Today's session was a short one for most of the Timbers players, with the week's quick turnaround playing a major part. The early portion of the day's training session saw the Timbers running a series of passing drills that eventually turned into races to complete the passing sequences the quickest. From there the team moved on to a large scale, 8v8+3 keep away match.

Eventually the starters from Wednesday were sent indoors to continue their training session while the rest of the side stayed on the pitch to continue training. The majority of practice was spent on a half-field 5v5 drill that pitted a team of attacking players against a team of defenders and a keeper in goal.

When this drill wrapped up, the majority of the side broke off to work together informally, passing the ball, juggling, or just stretching before heading indoors. Fanendo Adi, however, stayed with the Timbers' coaches, working on holding up the ball or turning with a defender on his back and going to goal.

Practice Notes

There was not much of note going on here, but there were still several highlights on offer.

George Fochive performed a very impressive chest trap during the 5v5 drill, bringing a driven, head-height ball down directly to his feet in a display of technique and athleticism.

Adi was pretty spot on in his shooting during his drills at the end of practice, tucking controlled shots into the corners of the net repeatedly. Jake Gleeson did come up with one big save in the drill, however, closing down Adi after a heavy touch and just managing to tip the ensuing shot off the bar as Adi was forced to go high over the sliding keeper.

Injuries and Absences

Dairon Asprilla was at training today, but did not participate with the rest of the team, instead working with one of the team's trainers on the sidelines of practice. After practice wrapped up, Caleb Porter told the press that Asprilla will likely rejoin full practice tomorrow, but that he is more likely to be available for the Open Cup match next Wednesday than for Sunday's match against the Sounders.

Darlington Nagbe practiced like normal today and, although he looked to be holding his arm gingerly at times, participated fully in the day's drills. Porter confirmed that Nagbe is fine, despite taking a knock on Wednesday, and marveled at Nagbe's almost superhuman healing abilities.

Ishmael Yartey's loan is up and he has returned home for the time being, Porter told the press after practice. Read more about Yartey's possible future with the Timbers here.

T2 Players

Rennico Clarke, Fatawu Safiu, Justin Luthy, and Danny O'Rourke all practiced with the first team today. O'Rourke and Luthy are regulars in Timbers practices, while Clarke and Safiu have only made a handful of appearances in first team training.

Nick Besler and Andy Thoma, both on loan to T2, were not in training with the first team today.