The Portland Timbers took a short break from their normal practice routine Monday to watch the solar eclipse.

The club bought eclipse glasses in advance of Monday's eclipse, so that the players could enjoy the event for a few minutes before jumping back onto the practice field.

Portland wasn't in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, but the Rose City did have 99.2 percent obstruction at 10:19 a.m. The Timbers and Sporting Kansas City are the closest MLS teams to the direct route of Monday's eclipse.

Timbers coach Caleb Porter said last week that the club wouldn't alter it's regular practice schedule due to the eclipse, especially since the group is preparing for an important home match against the Colorado Rapids Wednesday.

But he did say that the club would have a momentary pause from its regular routine to enjoy the unusual occurrence.

"We're going to have some glasses," Porter said last week. "We'll put them on and take a two-and-a-half minute break when it gets dark. Then we'll get back to work."

Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter wears eclipse glasses Monday to view the solar eclipse.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg