Portland Timbers strikers Kenny Cooper and Jorge Perlaza are looking to form a dangerous partnership for the MLS expansion franchise. The pair have had three matches together and admit they are slowly forming an on-field bond that will soon yield plenty of goals for the Timbers.
Cooper said the time spent together over pre-season is now beginning to pay off and expects things to become better and better in the near future.
"I think it's good now that we've had about two months of being together on the squad. I think with time, there comes a better understanding of each other," Cooper said.
"Hopefully, with time, Jorge and I will just come to understand each other better and better."
Colombian Perlaza said that at first the language barrier was something to overcome but feels now that he and Cooper are much more comfortable with each other.
"At first, it was difficult, especially with the communication," Perlaza said through an interpreter. "But we're getting used to each other and I think we're on a good road now."
And Timbers coach John Spencer weighed into the conversation, saying that only time will help a player like Perlaza settle but once he does, look out MLS.
"It's a culture shock. He's away from his family, his fiance and his baby," Spencer said. "We need to try and get him acclimated, which he has done well. There's going to be a breaking-in period where it's unsettling for him.
"But I truly believe he has the ability to be a leading goal-scorer in this league."