The season is just over a month away and the roster is almost completely set. Of course there is still the possibility of adding a few more pieces or dropping a few of the newer players. For the most part the Timbers have the core of their starting line-up signed. With all the changes to the roster will John Spencer go away from the 4-4-2 formation or will he go with a different formation?

It is that time of the year to start speculating on exactly what the Portland Timbers' roster needs are for the next year. For starters we need to take a look at the most used formations by John Spencer and the Timbers and then fill in what the Timbers still have on the roster.

Formation(s):

The Timbers employed a 4-4-2 for almost the first half of the season.

Zizzo's FC is up and running at SW 9th and Alder so check out this video for some tasty food cart action. Rodney Wallace makes a guest appearance and participates in some of the most painful chanting I have ever seen.

"Please be careful of Eddie Johnson," Coach John Spencer announced just before a 7v7v7 scrimmage at Jeld-Wen Field, as Johnson laughed sheepishly and shrugged. "You touch him, he bleeds."

Indeed, Eddie Johnson did make his triumphant return to the training pitch on Tuesday, wearing protective headgear as a precaution after the concussion he suffered earlier in the year.

The news that Sal Zizzo is planning to open a food cart spread like wildfire last week, and everyone wanted to talk about it after the training session on Monday. Among the other topics of conversation were Houston's long awaited return to the Rose City and what special significance that has to Mike Chabala and Lovel Palmer.

Sal Zizzo to become official Portland hipster, open food cart

Up next: Tattoos, sideburns, fixed gear bike riding.

Today's practice took place at Jeld-Wen Field under overcast skies. By the end of practice the crisp breeze blowing through the stadium would be supplemented by just the slightest sprinkling of rain. As Captain Jack would later tell us, it was the kind of weather that lets you know it is time to do or die.

After a light regen training on Monday and a day off Tuesday, the Timbers got back to the usual intensity today in training at Jeld Wen Field.

It was a shorthanded practice, with Diego Chara, James Marcelin, Steve Purdy, Brian Umony and Futty Danso all with their national teams. The only other player missing was Freddie Braun, but his absence was not injury related.

I have one word to describe that game: Bleh.

Again the ratings are based on a 10 point scale:

Ratings

Troy Perkins - 7 - He made two amazing saves that helped preserve the 1 point that Portland earned (not sure it was deserved)

Futty Danso - 6 - You will probably see this a lot but didn't really make any mistakes but really didn't show a lot

Eric Brunner - 7 - really put his body on the line in multiple occasions and helped stymie Chris Wondlowski

Mike Chabala - 6 - Didn't seem as involved in the attack but then again who was for the Timbers

Lovel Palmer - 7 - Really had his hands full defensively as Alhassan decided to roam around the pitch a lot more but showed he is up to the task

Kalif Alhassan - 6 - I like his aggressiveness and looking for long shots but when all but 2 of them go high or wide it might be a better idea to do something else with the ball.

Quick Recap:

The Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes turn back time and instead of playing the game take a break as the show a replay of their previous meeting. Portland ties San Jose 1-1.

First Half:

This game started out differently then the New England Game but in the first 9 minutes the result was the same.

Zizzo's 20 second dribble results in a corner vs. New England.

Welcome to the New England Revolution vs. Portland Timbers live game thread! This week we're doing something different. I'm teaming up with Sean Donahue, Julian Cardillo, Brian O'Connell and the others over at New England Soccer Today to run a joint live thread.

Thus, I will leave the lineups here, and after the jump, you will find the new live blog embedded in this post.

Last week the only winning move was not to play. The Timbers couldn't score and Marcelin didn't get subbed in, so the house cleaned up. There will be a new bet this week, allowing you to bet against the Timbers. I don't recommend it unless you want to have bad luck all week though, it's like betting the Don't Pass Line in craps.

Featured image: Nicolae Stoian

When Jordan Harvey was dealt, Peter Nowak said the following about Gabriel Farfan: "From a physical standpoint, and speed, everything is there. And he has some bite, which is very good for a defender." Garfan has been fast and tough, but he has had a steep learning curve.

Quick Recap:

Not the result the Portland Timbers wanted but the Timbers play mediocre soccer in the first half but show they are the better team in the second half. However no one finds the back of the net and the Timbers earn their first 0-0 draw of the season.

First Half:

The start of the game was a pretty typical start for a road game.

Portland Setup: Portland set up in a variation of a 4-4-2 with two holding midfielders in Jewsbury and Chara. Chara and Zizzo would take turns moving forward partnering with Nagbe in the center behind Johnson. Zizzo played wide right and Nagbe played wide left but could often be found central with Cooper moving out wide to the left.

So it's only a friendly tonight. Some would argue that means tonight's game is inherently less important that a regular season match. Well, they are... right. But that doesn't mean we can't have any fun! I know there's this whole mantra spreading around MLS fandom right now about "Trophies not Friendlies" and, in some respects, they have a good point.

Big ens coming out of the Mexican national team camp yesterday as it appears five of Mexico's Gold Cup Squad has been suspended over use of a controlled substance. Now, before you start lighting your bonfires and grabbing your pitchforks, it's suspected that the controlled substance was found in their systems via eating tainted chicken, not by actually using the drug.

Before I begin, I'd just like to apologize about the like of a proper preview on tonight's game. I had intended to do the usual question/answer deal, but my "informant" never responded in time. It's quite a shame because Chivas USA is one of these teams that just sort of eludes me. Aside from a couple key players, I'm not well knowledged in the team or its tactics.

Team: Club Deportivo Chivas-USA
Head Coach: Robin Fraser (1st Year)
Last Year's Finish: Last Place in Western Conference, 15th Overall 8-18-4

Last season for Chivas-USA was one that wants to be forgotten.

Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

The Portland Timbers' list of offensive acquisitions got a little bit longer on Wednesday, with the team acquiring former United States youth national team midfielder Sal Zizzo from Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money.

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Portland Timbers announced today that they have acquired midfielder Sal Zizzo from Chivas USA in exchange for allocation money. Timbers technical director/general manager Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement. Zizzo, 23, marks his second season in Major League Soccer (MLS) after contributing one assist in 10 games (1 start) with Chivas USA in [.