Timbers draw with Dynamo in exhibition

With about three weeks left in the preseason, the Portland Timbers are turning up the intensity level as the team readies itself for a string of exhibition games before the MLS regular season debut on March 19.

Although the Timbers are still putting the finishing touches on their 2011 roster, head coach John Spencer is satisfied with the progress of his newly put together expansion team thus far. 

“I can’t complain,” Spencer said. “These guys have been great from day one to now, giving everything they have.

I am really happy for them.”

The Timbers spent this past week training in Casa Grande, Ariz., as construction on the team’s home stadium and the recently announced Beaverton training facility are still in progress. On Feb. 19, the Timbers played the Houston Dynamo in a preseason match—however, because of desert wind gusts reported as high as 50 mph and the ensuing sandstorms on the field, the game was stopped a scoreless draw in the 80th minute.

“The conditions were not ideal—far from it—but we worked hard, we closed down and we did all the things we asked the guys do, to show a good attitude and compete,” Spencer said. “I have nothing but positives to say for the group; we took another step forward in a positive direction.”

Despite the poor conditions, the Timbers were able to create numerous scoring chances, especially during the first half when the wind was at the team’s back. In the 14th minute, midfielder Jeremy Hall sent a cross into the box that found the head of forward Kenny Cooper, forcing a diving save by Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall. During the 52nd minute, rookie Darlington Nagbe, the No. 2 overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft, snuck a pass behind the Houston backline to midfielder Ryan Pore, but Pore’s shot went wide as the keeper came out to challenge.

Although training away from home has been difficult at times, it has allowed the players a chance to bond and develop camaraderie, something that’s especially important for a roster full of new teammates.  Timbers’ keeper Adin Brown recognizes that strong team chemistry is a key ingredient for success.

“We’ve got a really good group here, and it’s been important for us to be together,” Brown said. “We’ve had some fun with each other…and that’s a big part of a team. If guys are that close, you’re willing to fight for each other on the field, and that just makes the team a whole lot better.”

Currently, Portland has 30 players in camp, and the Timbers’ front office will likely continue to bring players into camp as they make the decisions on the their final roster spots. In December, the Timbers signed Kerrea Gilbert, a defender from England, but his move to States has been delayed by bureaucratic speed bumps.

“With the heightened security issues around the world, the process is more difficult and time consuming,” Timbers’ technical director Gavin Wilkinson recently told The Oregonian. “I’m still 99 percent optimistic that he’ll be with us.”?

Portland continues its preseason against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. Against Houston, the Timbers split the team into two units, with one side meant to play an exhibition against the U-18 National Team; however, that exhibition was cancelled due to the weather conditions.

“We’re going to give guys that were meant to play against the U-18 National Team the other day a chance to get a look [against Kansas City],”

said Spencer.

An exhibition match was also played this past Wednesday against the Montreal Impact, the results of which were not available by press time. The Timbers also have upcoming preseason games against Cascadia rivals the Seattle Sounders on Friday, March 4 and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, March 5, at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.?