Today marks the first day of live post-training media gatherings since the pandemic. This was the first time that media, with proof of vaccination being a prerequisite, twere able to “scrum” around players and coach Savarese completely maskless.
“This is almost normal” was one of the greetings at the start, and indeed it was, other than the vivid memories of eighteen months of zoom conferences and isolation, finally we were back together, re-united, and yes, it felt really good. Really good.
While zoom pressers are here to stay, the club assured that there will be more of these live post training media gatherings.
Diego Chará speaking at todays post training press conference.
Diego Chará opened going over the team present, last games hiccups, and previewing the next match up with FC Dallas this coming Monday 17 at 7:30 PM. He stressed the importance of being able to play in front of a full house, and an atmosphere he describes as “Amazing“. He also commented about his brother, Yimmi Chará’s opportunity to play at Copa America with the Colombian national team that finished third in Copa America a couple weeks ago. The tournament was won by Argentina after a dramatic final with the host Brazil.
New member of the press, Bill Tuiloma.
The anecdote occurred when defender Bill Tuiloma joined the journalist line and asked his own question to Diego, using a plastic water bottle as his microphone, followed by laughter. Here is a link for his full remarks.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark, compared the energy of a full stadium as “hard to describe, it’s really an incredible… it’s an honor really to be playing there, and I mean that literally, it’s like getting shot out of a rocket”. Clark minimized the problems of order that the rotations forced by the intense calendar, he said they are a tight group who have been together for a long time. Follow this link for his full remarks.
Coach Giovanni Savarese closed the press conference, “It’s like I blinked and two years passed!”, he welcomed the press back to the training facility. He expressed how much he is looking forward to that full capacity, and how important that support the fans helps the team. He went over the lackluster show last game in Austin, and looking forward this Saturday’s game at home against Dallas, he is happy he’ll get a full 20 man squad at game time.
Giovanni Savarese
Portland has struggled to fill up a full game day roster, but with players back from international duty and injuries, his options are wider come this Saturday. The Portland Timbers will be missing only Claudio Bravo (Tokyo Olympic Games) and Eryk Williamson (Gold Cup). For his full interview please follow this link here.
