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Timbers take first step toward MLS opener

New players learn their surroundings as practices begin

By Paul Danzer, Columbian Soccer, hockey and Community Sports Reporter
Published: January 27, 2011, 12:00am

PORTLAND — Darlington Nagbe received a warm reception when he arrived in Portland five days ago to begin his professional soccer career.

“The weather’s a lot nicer than in Akron,” said the No. 2 pick in the recent Major League Soccer SuperDraft. “I think it was zero degrees yesterday in Akron, so this is nicer.”

Voted the 2010 top player in college soccer after helping the University of Akron to a national title, Nagbe is now just another player trying to get settled in a new place.

The first steps in Nagbe’s pro career were also the first on-field strides for the players who will debut for the Portland Timbers’ Major League Soccer franchise. They came at Adidas’ North American Headquarters in Portland, where the team is training this week.

With two months to prepare for the regular-season opener, the focus this week is on getting players acquainted with each other, and with the community they will call home.

“You’ve got to remember that a lot of these guys are moving from different cities, different states, and bringing their families in,” Timbers head coach John Spencer said. “It’s kind of an unsettling time.”

To assist in that transition, veteran players are showing newcomers around, and the team is helping its players find everything from the right neighborhoods live in to day care and schools — the amenities necessary for everyday living.

A native of Scotland who started his playing career in England and finished it in MLS, Spencer has experienced the uncertainty that comes from starting with a new team.

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“When a player’s happy off the field, when his wife is nice and settled, then they come to practice with a good mentality and no stress and no hassles,” Spencer said. “The only thing they’ve got to deal with is a little old fat Scotsman who’s running them for an hour and a half.”

Players who were with the Timbers prior to this season have the advantage of being settled, of knowing the coaching and support staff.

“I think it’s a huge advantage for the guys who have been around from last year,” said midfielder Ryan Pore, who played the last two seasons with the Timbers in the second division of American pro soccer.

Pore said he’s been answering questions from new Timbers about the city.

“I’m just trying to give them my favorite restaurants in town to maybe go check out. It’s been fun having them come to me for advice.”

Training will shift to another gear next week, when the team goes to Ventura, Calif., for eight days of workouts and scrimmages.

But Spencer said Wednesday that he is pleased with the interaction among players and their energy through three days of fitness work — almost entirely without soccer balls.

“The challenge is to be successful,” the coach said. “The challenge is everybody keeping their jobs here. That’s the challenge. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the first month, the 15th, the 20th month. You’ve always got to have the mentality that you’re trying to stay in a job.”

Players’ jobs will be won over the next seven weeks.

On Wednesday, the Timbers announced the signing of veteran goalkeeper Adin Brown and defender Steve Purdy. Both were with the team last season, though Brown missed 2010 because of injury.

The team still figures to add at least six more players — MLS clubs can carry up to 30 this season.

The Timbers coaches will evaluate some prospects in California over the weekend.

“We’re looking for guys who can play,” Spencer said. “If we go down there and there’s a standout, whatever position the guy is, if he adds quality to the squad then we sign him.”

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Columbian Soccer, hockey and Community Sports Reporter