by Matt Hoffman

In a recent interview Timbers coach Caleb Porter spoke of “attacking”, as opposed to defending, the team’s MLS Cup title entering 2016. Those first steps took place on Saturday as the Timbers opened preseason camp at the team’s Beaverton training complex.

With MLS Cup wrapping up last month, players expressed their delight to be back on the field with their teammates. “I don’t mind [the short break], to be honest with you,” defender Nat Borchers said. “If you like what you do, you want to be out there every single day playing.”

Midfielder Jack Jewsbury would add, “You miss the guys even though it’s just been a small break.”

Nearly the full team was on the field during drills and extended scrimmages with the exceptions being Darlington Nagbe (U.S. Men’s camp) and Liam Ridgewell (away on loan). Presumed leftback Chris Klute was held out of some drills as he’s recovering from off-season surgury. In his remarks, Head Coach Caleb Porter cited Klute’s absence as only precautionary and expects Klute to be going “full speed” in the coming days.

While Saturday’s training is the team’s first, it’s very evident that Porter’s team is on the same page. Despite losses of key players, the team’s core group, a term that was used frequently by both Porter and in the player interviews, remains.

Porter doesn’t expect any letdown from the team coming off a championship season comparing winning MLS Cup as being “like a drug.”

“Or ice cream!” he quickly corrected himself.

“They’ve tasted what’s possible,” Porter said. “There’s no greater motivation.”

New players Jermaine Taylor, Jack McInerney, Zarek Valentine, and Ned Grabavoy were all participants as was Ben Zemanski who has fully recovered from an achilles injury that sidelined him last year. Zemanski’s leadership, tenacity, and versatility were all on display on an intra-squad half field scrimmage.

Eric Avila, who spent last season with Orlando, is with the team as a trialist. Given Avila’s ability to play on the left flank and Porter’s stated desire to use the limited window to bring in players with MLS experience, there’s a good chance the team is taking a solid look at the one time Chivas USA standout.

Porter mentioned that T2 forward Kharlton Belmar will be joining the team in camp in Arizona to see where the second year pro stands up. Belmar led T2 in goals last year and was a finalist for the USL Rookie of the Year award.