"The kid's done well. I love coming every day and seeing him grow," Perkins said. "But still, I want to get back, fight for it and prove I can do the job."Gleeson started the season on the third string but has started two games -- a U.S. Open Cup match and a regular season game at New England -- because of injuries to Perkins and backup Adin Brown.Perkins is nearly fully recovered from a preseason knee injury, and he's anxious to regain his starting position."I've been itching like you wouldn't believe," Perkins said. "They go off and play and I'm told I've got to do more fitness. So it's tough to swallow."Perkins, 29, says he should be ready when the Timbers play their first Major League Soccer home game against Chicago Thursday at Jeld-Wen Field. He suffered a partially torn ligament in his right knee March 15, four days before the Timbers' regular season opening game. Perkins ramped up his conditioning and footwork and expects to receive a full medical clearance Monday.Portland Timbers coach John Spencer would not name a starter for Thursday night, in part but because he's unsure whether Perkins will be ready physically, but he quickly dismissed the possibility of a goalkeeper issue."There's no controversy," Spencer said. "We're not trying to create any situation. There's no problem."At the beginning of training camp, there appeared to be little question about who the starting goalkeeper would be. But that was before the injuries.Gleeson, a 20-year-old rookie, replaced then backup goalkeeper Adin Brown after he suffered a hamstring injury during the Timbers 2-0 loss at Toronto March 26. By all accounts, the Timbers are pleased with Gleeson's play, which has validated their decision to sign him to a contract in January."It's definitely a difficult situation for me. I'd love to play in the first home-opener and I would be gutted if I didn't make that starting spot," Gleeson said. "You can't say you're OK with it. You do understand, but it would be devastating."Gleeson earned praise for his MLS debut performance in the Toronto game, which included Major League Soccer's save of the week. Gleeson recorded a shutout in the Timbers' 2-0 win against Chivas in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match March 29 and his five saves helped the Timbers finish with a 1-1 draw at New England April 2."It comes down to how much work I want to put in and how much I want to start in that home game," Gleeson said. "I think if it is given to Troy, then it's through my own fault of not trying hard enough and not because the coaches have taken it away from me."
Perkins, Gleeson battle for goalkeeper spot for #Portland #Timbers by Geoffrey Arnold Oregonian #rctid #mls
Perkins, Gleeson battle for goalkeeper spot for Timbers
Published: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 4:14 PM Updated: Sunday, April 10, 2011, 4:37 PM
Timbers starting goalkeeper Troy Perkins is happy that Jake Gleesonhas played well in the past two games. But the happiness only goes so far before the competitiveness kicks in.
"The kid's done well. I love coming every day and seeing him grow," Perkins said. "But still, I want to get back, fight for it and prove I can do the job."Gleeson started the season on the third string but has started two games -- a U.S. Open Cup match and a regular season game at New England -- because of injuries to Perkins and backup Adin Brown.Perkins is nearly fully recovered from a preseason knee injury, and he's anxious to regain his starting position."I've been itching like you wouldn't believe," Perkins said. "They go off and play and I'm told I've got to do more fitness. So it's tough to swallow."Perkins, 29, says he should be ready when the Timbers play their first Major League Soccer home game against Chicago Thursday at Jeld-Wen Field. He suffered a partially torn ligament in his right knee March 15, four days before the Timbers' regular season opening game. Perkins ramped up his conditioning and footwork and expects to receive a full medical clearance Monday.Portland Timbers coach John Spencer would not name a starter for Thursday night, in part but because he's unsure whether Perkins will be ready physically, but he quickly dismissed the possibility of a goalkeeper issue."There's no controversy," Spencer said. "We're not trying to create any situation. There's no problem."At the beginning of training camp, there appeared to be little question about who the starting goalkeeper would be. But that was before the injuries.Gleeson, a 20-year-old rookie, replaced then backup goalkeeper Adin Brown after he suffered a hamstring injury during the Timbers 2-0 loss at Toronto March 26. By all accounts, the Timbers are pleased with Gleeson's play, which has validated their decision to sign him to a contract in January."It's definitely a difficult situation for me. I'd love to play in the first home-opener and I would be gutted if I didn't make that starting spot," Gleeson said. "You can't say you're OK with it. You do understand, but it would be devastating."Gleeson earned praise for his MLS debut performance in the Toronto game, which included Major League Soccer's save of the week. Gleeson recorded a shutout in the Timbers' 2-0 win against Chivas in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match March 29 and his five saves helped the Timbers finish with a 1-1 draw at New England April 2."It comes down to how much work I want to put in and how much I want to start in that home game," Gleeson said. "I think if it is given to Troy, then it's through my own fault of not trying hard enough and not because the coaches have taken it away from me."
EXTRA TIME Thrust into lineup, #Timbers GK up to the task on #Portland's 20 yr old Goalie "Jake Gleeson" #rctid
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