BEAVERTON – After spending 10 days in sunny and warm Arizona, the Timbers were greeted with rain and chilly temperatures when they returned to Portland this week. But even with the unfavorable weather, the Timbers were happy to be home.

"It's definitely good to be back," forward Kenny Cooper said. "We had a little time away from other each other the last two days, so it's good to get back together with the guys."

The Timbers returned to practice Tuesday as the team prepares for the next phase of its training camp this weekend at the preseason Cascadia Summit against Northwest Major League Soccer rivals

Sounders (Friday) and

Whitecaps (Saturday).

The games in Tukwila, Wash., won't be ordinary preseason games.

Two of the teams – Vancouver and Portland – are preparing for their first season in Major League Soccer. Throw in the historic rivalry between the clubs, add a dose of strong fan support and sprinkle in competition for roster spots, and the games will carry a electric atmosphere, even in the preseason.

"It's going to be a great time with the three sets of fans in Seattle. We'll take some (fans) up and I imagine Seattle and the Whitecaps will have their fans,"

said. "(The games) will give the guys a little sample of what the Pacific Northwest (soccer) is all about."

The Timbers (1-0-4 in preseason) received a preview of what to expect this weekend in their rugged

Saturday in Arizona.

"The coaches kind of pointed that out. They told us that (the game against Kansas City) is going to be more of what's it like to play in MLS physically," defender Steve Purdy said. "Kansas City really came out and they were pressing us. I think it was a good model game to see where we are at in terms of that type of play."

In anticipation of MLS play, Spencer continued to stress fitness while building a strong team mentality during Tuesday's practice.

"It's just trying to stay in that game-like mentality. It's just so important that you're always on the top of your game, whether it's in practice or whether it's in games," Spencer said. "If you don't, you are going to get punished."

The team also worked on finishing during the practice. Spencer spent time having the players work on a variety of crosses, entry passes and finishing kicks. The Timbers' defense has been exceptional, giving up only two goals in the preseson. But the offense has scored just two goals, though they have created plenty of chances.

"It's always the last thing you work on, the finishing. I'm very happy we're creating chances. Usually the last thing to come is the goals," Spencer said. "I think as time goes on, the guys get a little bit more loose and start to feel better and more confident in the bodies, they will start to put those chances away."

Spencer has been particularly pleased with the defensive play becasue of the quality of teams (Los Angeles Galaxy, Houston, Kansas City) the Timbers have faced.

"I know it's only spring training games, but we're still playing against the top (players) in the league like the (Landon) Donovans, the Juan Pablo Angels and the Brian Chings. We've kept them quiet," Spencer said. "That's something we can build on."

Notes: The Timbers acquired midfielder Jack Jewsbury from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for allocation money Tuesday. Jewsbury, 29, has played the past eight seasons with Kansas City, appearing in 195 regular-season matches and recording 15 goals and 21 assists during his time with the club. ... Darlington Nagbe didn't participate in practice Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon, the Timbers announced that Nagbe will have surgery for a sports hernia and could miss the start of the season. ... Spencer said midfielder Tony McManus has decided to stop practicing with the team. McManus, 30, had played with Timbers during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, when the team was playing in Division 2. ... Bim Ogunyemi, who played the Timbers U-23 team last year and was released by Dallas, is now in camp and training with the Timbers. ... There is no live television broadcast of the games this weekend, but all games will all streamed online at