Timbers third week of preseason training underway

Preseason Camp Notes – Day 16: March 24, 2009


PORTLAND, Ore.
– With two days of training sessions under their belt, the Portland Timbers have rolled into the third week of preseason training camp at PGE Park. Players and coaches participated in their first two-a-day training sessions of the week Tuesday.  
Tuesday morning’s training session focused on possession in the final third, while the afternoon session was geared towards ball movement and included crossing and finishing. Throughout both sessions, coaches incorporated fitness exercises into the team’s activities.  
On the agenda for Week 3, head coach
Gavin Wilkinson
has two-a-day training sessions booked for Wednesday, and a single session on Thursday as the team prepares for its third preseason exhibition match Friday. The third week of camp started Monday after a full weekend off.
The Timbers take on the University of Portland Pilots Friday at UP’s Clive Charles Soccer Complex at 7 p.m. Tickets, priced at $10 for adults and $7 for youth 18 years of age and younger, are available at the UP box office, area Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.
New kids on the block:
The Timbers added two more pieces to the puzzle this week as defender
David Hayes
and forward
Mandjou Keita
have joined the team for preseason training camp at PGE Park. Keita traveled to Portland from Northwest Africa, while Hayes made the trip to the Rose City from the Atlanta area.
Earning their keep:
There are four trialists in preseason training camp this week, including three who have been in camp since its start – goalkeeper
Brian Visser
, defender
Takura
Nishimura
and midfielder
Mutanda Kwesele
. The fourth trialist in camp this week is defender
Kyle Schmid
. Wilkinson is expecting another trialist in town later this week.