After 2 Preseason Games.................

[Kurt]

Its good that there is a preseason to get the players to get to know one another. There still work to do to get this team ready for the 2008 season. After the two matches the the passing is lacking on offense. The bright spots is Takayuki Suzuki, Justin Thompson, Scot Thompson, Cameron Knowles and Tim Karalexis. Time will get everyone working together and it makes one wonder are we still missing one piece to put us on top. By far Suzuki was the best player up front. You can tell he has is a smart and a very skilled player. Once his team mates know what he can do we will see him put the ball in the back of the net. Will Criss Brown be our striker everyone will fear? He has not shown much so far but he had a great pass to set up the winning goal scored by Neil Dombrowski. Drombrowski is an OK player and did make a nice run for his goal but he still is lacking in other areas and was yanked early in the San Jose match as he was beat bad that led to two San Jose goals. You could tell that the team missed Gregor's leadership today as he sat out because of an injury. I have heard trash talk about Gregor once he became a Timber and yet he is the best center mid we have had in a long time. Then there is the diamond in the rough Lawrence Olum, He shows some great stuff but still lacks the good pass. Shaun Higgins and Tom Poltl are both strong players as they work hard all the time. Troy Ready still struggles on the left wing which makes me wonder did Jake Sagare lose that much that he could not beat out Ready last season? Kiki Lara did well in todays match but I would rather see Gregor. Then Miguel Guante was playing defense and not mid where he belongs so it is not fair to judge how he played. What is up with Tom Taylor being back in a Timbers uniform? He wanted to be released to tryout for Puerto Rico. I guess that did not work out. Taylor did not impress last season so will see. Bagley. He had a one on one with the San Jose Keeper and failed to beat him and did nothing today. Makes one wonder what Gavin sees that we don't. The keeper James Jordan looked solid but he only had to make two key saves. On Friday keeper Ray Burse looked shell shocked as the ball was in the back of the net twice early in the match but did come on making some good saves in the second half. It is early but the Timbers should note this. Seattle beat Gonzaga 4-0. Lots of Timber Army folks at the University of Portland on Friday. Stood with them in the first half which is always fun. The second half was just as much fun from the sidelines. Not as many at Pacific but they still made noise.

The season ticket package was super this year. The staff at PGE Park did a great job and a big thanks to Merritt Paulson as he was the one who made it all work. It will be a great season!!