PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers closed out their sixth week of preseason training camp Friday with a morning training session at PGE Park. Week 6 proved to be busy week for the players and coaches, filled with training sessions, photo day and a preseason scrimmage on the road.

 

The Timbers opened the week with a 3-2 win over Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC reserves in a preseason scrimmage in Seattle, Wash., on Monday. Midfielders Keith Savage and Tony McManus and forward Mandjou Keita each tallied in the team’s second straight preseason victory.

 

The remainder of the week consisted of daily training sessions at PGE Park. As the team nears the end of preseason training camp, each day of training continues to get more competitive. Training sessions have consisted of possession drills, short-sided games and focused on defending and attacking as a unit.

 

The Timbers play their seventh and final preseason contest Saturday night against the Tacoma Tide FC of the Premier Development League (PDL) before preparing for their USL First Division season opener April 25.

 

“Say cheese …”: The team held its annual photo day Thursday at PGE Park. Players, coaches and staff all had their photo taken for team publications and promotional needs. Each player had their profile picture taken, while goalkeeper Steve Cronin, defenders David Hayes and Takura Nishimura, midfielder Johan Claesson and Keita were involved in additional photos shoots for the team’s first issue of Timbers Review in 2009. The players also took part filming introductions and feature pieces for the Timber’s USL Live broadcasts for the upcoming season.

 

Take me out to the ballgame: On Friday night, six Timbers players helped their PGE Park brethren Portland Beavers open their 2009 home schedule at PGE Park by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Cronin, defender Stephen Keel and midfielders Ryan Pore, Savage and McManus and forward George Josten were recognized before the game and took part in the Opening Day baseball tradition.

 

The Timbers begin the 2009 season April 25 on the road against the defending-champion Vancouver Whitecaps on the road. The team makes its 2009 PGE Park debut on April 30 against the Carolina RailHawks at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $11 and are available through the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.