The Portland Timbers started training for the 2012 season Monday at Jeld-Wen Field.

The

completed their first day of training camp Monday, and coach

already likes what he sees.

The players spent the majority of the first day of camp going through a battery of fitness and conditioning tests at Jeld-Wen Field and Spencer was encouraged by the results.

"The good thing about most American players is they look after their bodies all year round, which is great for coaches," Spencer said after Monday's practice. "Most of the guys came in in good shape. We did some running tests and most of the numbers were excellent. We've got a lot of good positives to build on."

"Last year at this time, after a couple of days, we lost (former midfielder) Adam Moffat to a hamstring pull," said Spencer, who closed the first hour of practice to the media. "And it dragged on for him for a few months and he really couldn't shake it off."

A number of players had been working out individually and with teammates since the beginning of January.

"It's great to see that guys did that," goalkeeper Troy Perkins said. "Hopefully, that means we're that much further along and we're willing to give what it takes to win."

Perkins said he noticed how Spencer is taking a different approach to training camp compared with last year.

"Last year, John was a little more light-hearted in the beginning. Just getting guys on board and making sure that no one was feeling tense," Perkins said. "Now, John has come out all business and a lot of the guys who were here last season know that."

The Timbers have a number of new faces in training camp, including Colombians Jose Adolfo Valencia (forward) and Hanyer Mosquera (central defender).

"I really want to contribute to the team – score a lot of goals," Valencia said through a translator. "(The Timbers are) a team that is coming up and there is a chance for growth."

The addition of Valencia and Mosquera brings the total number of Colombians on the team to four. Central midfielder Diego Chara and forward Jorge Perlaza are also from Colombia.

"Diego and Jorge are going to be really good support," the 20-year-old Valencia said. "It's good to have them around."

Spencer said Valencia and Mosquera already are learning English with a tutor.

"I think good players can settle in any environment. Once the ball comes out, it's the same rules, the same size field," Spencer said. "I don't think there will be any problems there. I just think it's better to get them to speak the language, so they can mix with their teammates."

In addition, central defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste, the team's first-round pick of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, was also in training Monday.

"I'm coming to a team full of great players," said Jean-Baptiste, who played at Connecticut. "It's nothing I haven't been around before. I just want to make an impact on this team and take this team's game to another level."

There were plenty of familiar faces on the field as well, including midfielders Jack Jewsbury, Darlington Nagbe and Diego Chara. Jewsbury said the experience of the team's inaugural year of MLS play will be beneficial in 2012.

"Anytime you have an expansion team, you've got guys playing together for the first time," said Jewsbury, who set career-highs in goals (seven) and assists (eight) in 2011. "Other teams around the league have built a core foundation of players and a core of guys they build their organization around. I think that's starting to happen here."

One familiar face from last season is gone. Forward Kenny Cooper was traded to New York for a first-round draft pick in 2013 and allocation money.

"It's the nature of the beast. I left Kansas City last year," said Jewsbury, who the Timbers acquired in a trade with Kansas City. "I know Kenny was sad to leave and a lot of us are his friends. But it's part of what we do. I think guys realize that."

The Timbers failed to reach the playoffs in 2011, but Spencer has left any residual discouragement in 2011. He's filled with encouragement after the first day of camp. He not only expects to earn a playoff berth in 2012, but he has set his sights high.

"If you aim for the playoffs and you get knocked out in the first round, then what are you going to say, that's a success? For me, no, it's not," Spencer said. "If you want to be one of the top clubs in the country and you want to challenge for honors every year, just getting to the playoffs is not enough. You have to have the same aim as every other team that's starting camp, that you're out to compete and win a championship."

Notes:

The Timbers will spend the first two weeks of camp at Jeld-Wen Field before moving to Carson, California beginning Feb. 6. The Timbers will play four preseason games (Los Angeles Feb.7, Montreal Feb. 10, Houston Feb. 12 and Chicago Feb. 15) in California. ... Midfielder Sal Zizzo (knee rehab after surgery) and defender David Horst (hip surgery) were not on the field Monday. ... Franck Songo'o, midfielder from Cameroon and goalkeeper Joe Bendik, who played four years at Clemson, were trialists Monday.

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