The Portland Timbers returned to training today at their Beaverton facility for the first time in more than a week. The day’s session started with a warm-up before the group moved to the natural grass field and divided into two groups. The groups rotated between playing 8v8 to goal and working on defending with assistant coach Sean McAuley. Once finished, a number of players participated in a shooting drill before McAuley did an extra session with some of the younger players.

NOTES:

• Rookie center back Andrew Jean-Baptiste returned from his loan spell with the LA Blues. Defender Chris Taylor (who recently underwent hip surgery) was moved to the inactive roster to make way for Jean-Baptiste’s return.
• Jose Valencia trained with the team for the first time, but he participated only in the warm-up.
• After the warm-up, Valencia, Kosuke Kimura and Kalif Alhassan stayed on the turf field and did fitness work with John Ireland and trainer Nik Wald.
• Kimura, who suffered a broken nose during the match against New York, should be available for selection this weekend despite initial reports following the game that he had suffered a concussion. “He’ll be kept out of contact until Friday,” said Gavin Wilkinson. “He’ll have a mask by Friday and cleared for the game this weekend.”
• Uruguayan forward Pablo Di Fiori is on trial with the team. “He’s an attacking central midfielder,” Wilkinson said. “He can play out wide; very good with the ball at his feet.” Wilkinson also said that Di Fiori will be around maybe as long as two weeks and that he would be available for selection in Sunday’s Reserve League match.
• U-23 player Cam Vickers continues to train with the squad.
• Recently signed left back Ian Hogg participated in his first full team training session after arriving in Portland last week.

Kosuke Kimura points out his fractured nose to Mike Fucito during the warm-up jog.
Photo By Joe Berninghausen