Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: Sparsely Attended

The Portland Timbers held a recovery session at the team's Beaverton training facility today, putting in their first workout of the week following Sunday's disappointing 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Only two days removed from the match, the entirety of the Timbers' starting XI from Sunday was indoors going through the team's usual recovery workout.

The rest of the Timbers were on the pitch, putting in a brief but intense workout centered around a series of five on five short field matches with keepers in goal. Sporting a mix of bench players, T2 loanees, Danny O'Rourke, and the suspended Diego Chara, the team went hard for the short session, particularly emphasizing finishing chances for the players on the cusp of the gameday 18.

As usual there were a handful of highlight reel goals scored in training, started off early with a long range bomb from Michael Nanchoff from space in the center of the pitch that left Andrew Weber staring as it hit the back of the net.

Maximiliano Urruti was up next, providing a pair of beautiful goals to liven things up. After having a series of long-range attempts saved, Urruti was able to bring the ball down out wide on his team's right flank, turning and firing off a side-volley after a single bounce of the ball that blew by Jake Gleeson for the goal. Urruti followed that up with a run on goal that saw him get around a slide from Gleeson only to find himself facing away from the goal and closed down by Taylor Peay. With Peay keeping him from turning, Urruti played a strong back heel before Gleeson could recover, beating Peay and scoring the goal.

Finally, Dairon Asprilla (whose name really sounds like "Darren" when Sean McAuley is shouting it from the sidelines) had a series of chances throughout training, repeatedly turning with a defender on his back and getting in on goal, only to see his shot saved or slamming the ball off the woodwork. Finally, however, his ability to turn on his man came to fruition as he received the ball then dropped his shoulder toward the left flank before rolling to the right, shedding his man with no problem. Now with precious space in which to work, Asprilla ripped off a powerful shot on goal that rippled the back of the net.

Injuries and Absences

Will Johnson, who was not in the 18 on Sunday, was not in practice today as he is with the Canadian Men's National Team for this week's FIFA World Cup qualifying dates. Similarly, Alvas Powell and Michael Seaton were with Jamaica for their qualifying matches as well. Both countries will play on this Friday, the 4th, and next Tuesday, the 8th. With the Timbers hosting Sporting Kansas City on the 9th, it looks like a real possibility that all three will not be back in time for the match.

Weber, as mentioned above, was participating fully in training today, something that he likely resumed midway through last week while practices were closed to the press.

Ben Zemanski and Jeanderson were both working on the sidelines of practice today with team trainers. Zemanski, who is recovering from the torn ACL that has kept him out since the preseason, was working on his lateral movement today and later on took a series of shots with his injured leg, both good steps as he continues his recovery.