Nat Borchers is looking comfortable with the ball as the Timbers new centerback. Photo: Jeffrey Wilson/Prost Amerika
By Jeffrey Wilson in Tucson
The Timbers held a short practice Friday before their second preseason game against Houston on Saturday. Manager Caleb Porter ran a number of drills, most notably one with the starting 11 focus on playing the ball out of the back with each defensive player having a touch before working it through the middle field.
The overlapping of wing players was also significant. For example, after moving the ball out of the back, Porter made a point of the midfield wing players running into the center of the pitch while the defensive wings overlapped. It was just this type of interchange between the midfield wing player and defensive back that was impressive in the win over Sporting KC.
New Timbers central defender Nat Borchers looked particularly good in practice, displaying a smartness on the ball and poise in possession. After practice he noted of forming new defensive partnerships, “it’s really about developing that relationship of when I do something he adjusts and visa-versa.”
Borchers also spoke to the transition from Salt Lake City to Portland as being “real smooth” and how the Timbers organization was “tremendous” in helping make it as easy as possible for him and his family.
Borchers related his settling in process via an anecdote of his 7-month old son:
“It’s funny, the first day we moved in [to his new home in Portland]he started crawling, so I
think that’s a sign of good things to come.”
Borchers is an important addition to the Timbers defense that struggled for large portions of last season. When asked about tactical changes from the system played at Real Salt Lake to the Timbers he said, “there is not that much of a differences because the players here are so good with the ball.”
Coach Caleb Porter had nothing but positive things to say of his new center defender:
“Nat is looking great, he is everything we thought he’d be. He is just steady; he’s very good on the ball. He doesn’t take a play off. Like any central defender their going to get beat and make mistakes, that happens but he won’t make a mistake because of focus, we won’t make a mistake by making a wrong decisions. I like that in him because I know for 90-minutes he’s not going to take a play off.”
Porter continued, “I like his game because it’s predicated upon mentality, focuses, intelligence and professionalism.” Borchers is a great addition to the Timbers this season, one to watch for as the Timbers try to control space in possession and spring overlapping wing play. Both were a major focus of training this week. Also expect them to press Houston when they play out of the back.
Kickoff local time in Tucson is 7 PM Mountain Time/6 PM Pacific. Streaming on www.timbers.com.
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