BEAVERTON -- Finally, Portland Timbers defenders Nat Borchers and Liam Ridgewell have had a chance to work together along the back line as the team prepares to play in the Simple Invitational, which starts Sunday at Providence Park.

"It's been a long wait," Borchers said after Friday's practice.

Brochers, a 10-year MLS veteran, is playing his first season in Portland, where he's paired as a center back with Liam Ridgewell, who is coming back to Portland after a six-game loan to Wigan.

During Friday's short-side 11v11 scrimmage, both players were vocal, organizing players around them.

Borchers said there will be a "balancing act" between them so they're not barking at teammates with the same -- or conflicting -- messages throughout games.

"It has to be a dynamic on the soccer field; the timing has to be right," Borchers said.

Who is louder?

"We'll have to find out when we're in Providence Park," he said.

-- Molly Blue