BEAVERTON --The Portland Timbers were able to use their new training facility on consecutive days for the first time this season in preparation for their game against Houston.

The Timbers conducted full training sessions at the facility Friday and Saturday. They trained there for the first time since April 19, but workers were still completing the final touches on the $6 million facility.

The biggest issue for the players and coaches was the length of the grass on the natural grass field back in April. The length of the grass was still too long for coach John Spencer at that time, but the grass couldn't be cut while it was still maturing.

"(Cutting) would have shocked the grass and (the grass) would've died," Spencer said.

The grass was cut more to the Timbers' liking after another month of maturation.

"(The grass) is down to the level that suits us," Spencer said. "The guys were really excited just to be on the field."

The team trained on the grass in preparation for playing on the natural grass field in Houston on Tuesday.

"Sometimes I wish we would play games (at the facility)," central midfielder Lovel Palmer said. "I love this surface. (It) is really nice."

Cooper scores winner:

Kenny Cooper continued his offensive ways for the New York Red Bulls.

The former Portland forward scored the winning goal in the Red Bulls' 3-2 win at Philadelphia on Sunday. Cooper scored in the 78th minute to help the Red Bulls win their fourth consecutive game and move into first place in the Eastern Conference.

Cooper is making people rethink his success --nine goals this season --in New York is a result of playing alongside star forward Thierry Henry. Cooper did score his first seven goals with Henry in the starting 11, but he has scored his last two goals with Henry on the bench as he recovers from a strained right hamstring.

Cooper's goal total has come in 11 games this season. He scored eight goals in 34 games for the Timbers during the 2011 season.

San Jose 1, Chivas USA 1:

In Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Alan Gordon's goal in the 88th minute salvaged a tie for Earthquakes (7-2-2).

Gordon, a substitute in the 57th minute, headed in a perfectly placed cross pass off the left wing from rookie midfielder Sam Garza to tie it. San Jose moved into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, three points behind Real Salt Lake.

Chivas USA (3-6-1) withstood San Jose's pressure for nearly the entire afternoon, trying to make a goal by rookie forward Jose Correa in the fourth minute stand up for the winner.

Dike scores for Blues:

Bright Dike produced an impact in his first game with the Los Angeles Blues.

The Timbers forward, loaned to the USL Pro club Tuesday, scored a goal and assisted on another in the Blues 3-0 win against Pittsburgh Saturday night.

Dike scored his goal with a chip over Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap after receiving a pass from forward Matt Fondy in the 52nd minute.

Dike returned the favor by passing the ball to an unmarked Fondy on the flank, who then scored in the 69th minute.

Saunders reportedly enters rehab:

Los Angeles goalkeeper Josh Saunders has entered the league's substance abuse treatment program.

Saunders first missed the Galaxy home game against Dallas (1-1 draw April 28) for what coach Bruce Arena said was "personal reasons."

Reports then surfaced that Saunders had entered the treatment program before the team's 2-0 loss at Seattle May 1.

Saunders has been replaced by Bill Gaudette in the last four games. The Galaxy have gone 0-2-2 in those four games.

Saunders, 31, is in his ninth season in MLS. A backup for most of his first eight MLS seasons, Saunders took over as the Galaxy starter last June after Donovan Ricketts broke his arm.

Saunders produced a career season, posting eight shutouts in the regular season and recorded two more in the 2011 playoffs, including a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup final.

The Galaxy rewarded Saunders by trading Ricketts, a former MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, to Montreal.

Saunders, a goalkeeper for the Portland Timbers Division 2 squad from 2003 to 2006, was arrested on DUI charge in Portland in 2004.

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