Preseason Camp Notes – Day 20: March 20, 2010
PORTLAND, Ore. –
The Portland Timbers conclude their third week of preseason training camp Saturday with a preseason exhibition against Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes. For the second straight week, the Timbers will test themselves against an MLS opponent.
Members of the team weighed in with their thoughts on the progress of preseason and facing San Jose this weekend.
Midfielder
Ryan Pore
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(On Week 3 of preseason training camp …) “It’s been good. We have some injuries here and there, but coming out of Seattle with a 1-0 victory improved the team’s morale a bit and obviously our fitness level. Guys are starting to get their legs back under them, which is good, and we’re starting to enjoy playing a little soccer now.”
(On his preparation for the season …) “I think I’m starting to get back into the grind of things. It always takes a couple of weeks to get back into it, mentally more than physically, I think. Slowly but surely, I am getting there and I am looking forward to getting the season started.”
Goalkeeper
Steve Cronin
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(On returning to Santa Clara, Calif. …) “Leading up to the game it’s a pure business trip. But, I always love to go back to San Jose, it is where I started my career and played college and Sacramento, where my family is from, it not too far away. I’m real excited to play the Earthquakes and I have fond memories of playing for Frank (Yallop) and he always puts together a good team. Going back and playing at Buck Shaw Stadium and Santa Clara is always fun too. I look forward to going down there this weekend.”
Defender
Stephen Keel
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(On facing an MLS opponent for a second week …) “We had a good start last week going up to Seattle with the great atmosphere we had up there. I think it was a good performance and a good result. We are obviously only a few weeks into preseason and have a lot of kinks to work out. We were playing against an MLS team weeks away from the start of their season. This will be good for us to see where we are at this week.”
(On the preseason game against San Jose in 2009 …) “I remember it was a good atmosphere and a good turnout from the fans. It was an intense game … a fast-paced game. The result was an unfortunate 1-0 to them. Anytime you play an MLS team, they are going to be technically sound, very organized and fit, so I hope we can match them on the fitness level, minimize our mistakes and develop good habits going into the season.”
