The defending Western Conference champions, the Portland Timbers, are back in training camp at Beaverton’s Adidas Training Center with several players getting international call ups and now back with Andy Polo (Peru), Yimmi Chara (Colombia), and Pablo Bonilla (Venezuela).
So far, the likes of Cristhian Paredes (Paraguay) and Bill Tuiloma (New Zealand) are soon to be leaving to play with their national teams.
As the team is in serious contract negotiations with Sebastian Blanco, we couldn’t leave unnoticed the absences of Diego Valeri and Steve Clark to play with new teams as well as Josecarlos Van Rankin returning to Mexican side Chivas as his loan expired.
Still, that wasn’t a cause for alarm as Giovanni Savarese is hard at work to build up a new team and mostly a contender in what will look to be another contested season in Major League Soccer.
So far, the team hasn’t made any big announcements lately, but working hard in getting a new player in Estudiantes de la Plata midfielder David Ayala a U-22 Argentinian player.
By seeing several absences due to injury, travel, and other settings, in the end, the Timbers won’t be looking forward to a full squad during their training camp. With one of the novelties of seeing in the field, some of the draftees and academy players training with some of the big team players, I can foresee this team moving forward with its youth players.
In my conclusion, I do like the camaraderie, unity, and enthusiasm this team showed today, and by far many of its veterans will be looking forward to a repeat of last season’s achievements.
The training will continue through Friday before leaving for Tucson, Arizona, where they’ll train and spend a good two weeks playing a couple of friendlies to the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City. This is before their home opener on February 26 against last year’s Supporters Shield winner the New England Revolution.
Teamwork will make this happen for the Timbers as well as buildup confidence that in the end will build a contender in this team and won’t surrender that easily regardless of the foe in turn, Welcome back Boys in Green and Gold!
Portland Timbers
