Opening Day Gallery

By Diego G Diaz Follow @dhondiego

School may have not officially started, but today was the first official day back from vacation to kick off the Portland Timbers pre-season. There will be training at Providence Park for 5 days before leaving for Tucson, Az, for their very first tests. A classic winter day in Stumptown, slightly cold, overcast with a threat of rain; a threat that would come true by the time we got to talk to the old and new Timbers.

The training was routine, some game practice, circuit drills and plenty of stretching, after all is the first day, followed by the classic coach talk. While everybody was running around, on a side, Will Johnson and Diego Valeri were working separately as they are both recovering from their injuries, both, it’s said, are in perfect road to timely recovery although they will still miss the first steps of the regular season.

Caleb Porter opened the press conference, and re-encountered the media, and the media re-encountered with our favorite “Porterisms”.

He talked about being happy to be there, he and his team:

“This is what we love to do, We are all happy to be back”, followed by his always ambitious competitive bits, “this is a hungry group, we want to win”.

Porter is starting the preseason with the eyes on those first 3 points at home, knowing how disastrous was that slow start last year which cost the team the play-offs. Talk of continuing the project he started a few years ago and keep adding and modifying pieces with the objective of bringing trophies to the fans was the fare of the day.

Porter defended the loan of Liam Ridgewell to Wigan Athletic, as a way of having Liam play high competition for a number of games, then reunite with the Timber’s squad in optimal shape to start the reason and with just enough time to blend with the squad.

“We wanted him to play, he needed the play”, Porter claimed.

Porter is happy with his 31+ squad and with the newly created T2, he talked not just about the depth of his team but about the possibility of growing players from the second team and of sending first team players in necessity of play time to the USL side when is needed.

The squad doesn’t seem to be closed yet as there are still some players like O’ Rourke whose presence is still being negotiated.

And, of course there is the summer transfer window, that hopefully won’t have to be as remedial as it was for the Timbers.

Porter thanked the journalists that had gathered as his participation ended and gave us a “I’ve missed you guys”, and there is no shame in recognizing it, we have missed it too.

The mood was up-beat, let’s not forget that this is a very tight group, and they haven’t seen much of each other for some time, all is smiles.

After Porter’s Q and A, players pour to the media and give their five cents of things to come.

The new players they are all looked very exited and talked about their intention to add to the team with the capabilities that have landed them here. Once again, this is a team in synch with Porter.

Newcomer from RSL Nat Borchers chatted about how he is looking forward to play alongside Liam Ridgewell, and also the oddities of after having quite a rivalry with his now present team. He was all smiles about it though.

With him and all the new comers from as far as Denmark, keeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey, and Colombia, Dairon Asprilla, the ambiance and the fans love for the team is one huge plus for playing in Portland.

As satisfying and perhaps pandering as it may be for Portland fans it may be, “they really care here” was heard.

Dairon Asprilla talked about how important is the help he is getting from his compatriot, Diego Chara and the Argentine players in getting settled in the team.

There was talk about his position and his skills for attacking and recuperating the ball can help the squad in controlling games. Asprilla is a young man, and his eyes, are still wondering at the marvels of change, virtually and literally he just landed in Portland.

Just a year ago new comers like Urruti, and Fernández, now they looked like seasoned team veterans, and they are the ones making sure the newbies are feeling welcome and they are all looked after.

Fernandez who may be just a year old in Timber years, but is a veteran player with a wealth of football knowledge, talked about preparing the season as to reinforce the team so they will not commit the mistakes that cost them so many points and the play offs.

The day closed with the “maestro” Diego Valeri as if everything else has been the prelude.

His elegant presence is felt in and off the field, and that is probably what we all wanted, and truly missed.

Valeri updated on his prompt recovery, and recalled finding out about the gravity of his late season injury that lead him to yet another injury. He talked about being hard to have to watch from the sidelines how the group is assembling and having to spend his vacation injured. Also he is not amused by missing the beginning of the season, but he is working hard to recover.