PRESEASON

[EPJr]

Timbers players return to JELD-WEN rested and ready for 2012
Head coach John Spencer and squad excited to get to work on the new season


With a classic Portland gray January morning as the backdrop, the Portland Timbers started their 2012 campaign with preseason fitness drills and training at JELD-WEN Field today. Veterans, rookies and draft picks all took part in what is the first step of Year Two.

“It’s always good to get the guys back,” said head coach John Spencer. “They’re such a good bunch of guys to be around personally as well as professionally. There’s some new faces and I think they’re going to be good additions to the group that we already have.”

And while 2011 was a memorable season to be sure, today also was also a chance to begin looking forward.

http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/...and-ready-2012

[tlongII]

How about that 4-1 win over the Galaxy?!

[Baracuda]

How about that 4-1 win over the Galaxy?!

It's very nice to be scoring goals this early in pre-season. I'm anxious to see Boyd play at the end of the month. Hopefully his visa gets sorted soon.

[tlongII]

It's very nice to be scoring goals this early in pre-season. I'm anxious to see Boyd play at the end of the month. Hopefully his visa gets sorted soon.

I just hope Boyd is training hard right now. I don't think it's a good idea to leave a young Scotsman alone with a lot of cash and no one around to supervise him.

[Baracuda]

I just hope Boyd is training hard right now. I don't think it's a good idea to leave a young Scotsman alone with a lot of cash and no one around to supervise him.

As long as he scores goals I don't give a shit what he does in his spare time!

[EPJr]

Timbers draw Impact 0-0 in preseason match
Despite fast paced second half, game ends scoreless


CARSON, Calif. -- The Portland Timbers fought to a 0-0 draw against new MLS side Montreal Impact today. Timbers head coach John Spencer opted again today with two separate lineups for both halves though trialist goalkeeper Joe Bendik played the full 90 in the shutout. Bendik's key saves towards the end of the first half helped continue Portland's undefeated run in the 2012 preseason (1-0-1).

While the second half saw numerous changes in posessions and a few chances on goal as both sides hunted for the gamewinner, the match ended scoreless.

http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/...reseason-match

[HCP]

How many preseason games are there?

[EPJr]

How many preseason games are there?

Timbers 2012 Preseason Match Schedule (subject to change)
Tuesday, Feb. 7 – Timbers vs. LA Galaxy in Carson, Calif.; 10:30 a.m. (Pacific)
Friday, Feb. 10 – Timbers vs. Montreal Impact in Carson, Calif.; 10:30 a.m. (Pacific)
Sunday, Feb. 12 – Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo in Carson, Calif.; 10:30 a.m. (Pacific)
Wednesday, Feb. 15 – Timbers vs. Chicago Fire in Carson, Calif.; 11 a.m. (Pacific)
Monday, Feb. 27 – Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes at JELD-WEN Field (tournament); 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Thursday, March 1 – Timbers vs. Chivas USA at JELD-WEN Field (tournament); 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Sunday, March 4 – Timbers vs. AIK (Sweden) at JELD-WEN Field (tournament); 5 p.m. (Pacific)

[tlongII]

They have 1 more down in SoCal and then 3 in PDX.

[EPJr]

For Timbers, chippy tie against Quakes a perfect test



“I thought, I mean, for a preseason game to get 15,000 people through the gates is incredible,” Timbers head coach John Spencer said. “It doesn’t feel like a preseason game, and I think that there’s a lot of positives we can take from the game.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...s-perfect-test

Own-goal costs Portland as they tie San Jose 1-1


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...e-san-jose-1-1

[tlongII]

Bad play by Mosquera. We should have won last night.

[Wheels]

I cant put too much of that on Mosquera. The pass that Jean-Baptiste made right in our own 3rd that was intercepted was horrendous. Good learning experience for the young lad though. Will be nice to see this team with all its starters playing together.

[Wheels]

I was impressed with Kawulok last night also filling in at Right Back. Hope we sign him and give him some reserve league burn to see if he can grow into a pretty good player. Lord knows we need cover at Right Back (one of our weakest positions IMO)

[Wheels]

also. Its from just a few photos and not video, but still what a pretty goal.

[tlongII]

Alhassan's goal was awesome. I seriously thought he was hitting a cross and then it went in. LOL. He's always trying shit like that though.

[Wheels]

yeah at first most of the TA must have thought it was just a mishit cross lol

[HCP]

Question

Besides Boyd/Cooper, who are the key additions and subtractions? What is our outlook this year, better then last, playoffs?

[Wheels]

Question

Besides Boyd/Cooper, who are the key additions and subtractions? What is our outlook this year, better then last, playoffs?

We got a Winger named Franck Songo'o who is Cameroonian, who should be pretty good. He came up through the Barcelona youth system with players like Messi, Fabregas and Pique. We also got another Defender to add depth in Hanyer Mosquera who should help and bolster the backline. Eric Alexander isnt new as he was here the last half of last season, but he is a player. (Capped for the USMNT) And I have high hopes for him.

Last year we only missed the playoffs by 4 points, and that was with a bad Backline for half the season, and virtually no scoring from our midfield other than Jewsbury. This year we have Chabala and Palmer here to start the year (still shaky, but much better than what we started with last year) and Songo'o and Alexander, and Chara to hopefully add some finishing touches to the midfield. Nagbe also may play as striker this year which he could be deadly up top. And even though you know about Boyd, he should add some big time scoring opportunities that we didnt get last year with Cooper drifting out wide and falling.

Def improved with depth, and competition which pushes guys harder to get better. Playoffs should be a real possibility, but the western Conference is stacked this year.

[tlongII]

We'll definitely be better. Songo'o is the guy that could be a HUGE difference maker. If we stay healthy I think we're a shoe-in for the playoffs. That's a big "If" though as Blazer fans certainly know.

[Wheels]

Remember though the playoff format has changed. Now its strictly top 5 from each conference. So while we were 4 off from Playoffs last year, I believe we were 7 Points off from The nearest Western Conference team. Right now LA Galaxy, Real Salt Laker, FC Dallas, and possibly Seattle are deeper than us. I wouldnt be surprised to see us fighting for the last spot, but I wouldnt think "Shoe in" personally.

[HCP]

Who will take the PKs this year....... will Jewsbury and Boyd fight over it

[Wheels]

Oh most Def Boyd. Supposed to be a PK specialist

[Wheels]

but yes that Cooper Jewsbury fight over the PK was good stuff

[EPJr]

Recap: Portland claw out a 1-1 tie against Chivas


New Portland defender Ryan Kawulok celebrated his signing by scoring a goal to rescue a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA in Thursday's nightcap of the Portland Timbers Tournament.

Kawulok, who put pen to paper earlier that day, came through for the Timbers with 12 minutes remaining in the second half to cancel out Cesar Romero's go-ahead goal for Chivas in the 21st minute.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...against-chivas

[tlongII]

A lot of reserves got playing time last night. I was pleasantly surprised we were able to pull out a draw. Sunday I think we're going to see all our #1 guys that we have available. It should be a fun game!