CHESTER, Pa. - The Portland Timbers could not overcome a late second-half push as the Philadelphia Union scored three goals in the final 21 minutes for the 3-0 win against the Timbers in front of 18,722 fans at PPL Park in Chester, Pa., on Saturday night.
Saturday’s defeat at PPL Park marked just the second loss for Portland in its last eight regular-season games and the team’s first-ever loss against the Union all-time.
- VOTE: Man of the Match
- MATCHCENTER: Opta Stats
- MATCHCENTER: Boxscore & Chalkboard
Portland (9-7-4, 31pts) held the host Union (6-10-4, 22pts) scoreless for the majority of the match, but Philadelphia scored two goals in quick succession as midfielder Andrew Wenger converted a well-struck, left-footed effort from just outside the box in the 69th minute for a 1-0 lead. The Union doubled their lead in the 71st minute when midfielder Vincent Nogueira hit a one-time effort from near the penalty spot for a two-goal lead. Nogueira finished the match with a brace, scoring a second goal in the 82nd minute following a passing combination with midfielder Cristián Maidana at the top of the box. Maidana had a role in each of Philadelphia’s goals, finishing with three assists.
With three players earning their first starts of the season for Portland, the Timbers saw several close chances in the first half. Midfielder Diego Valeri struck the crossbar with a well-placed free kick in the 36th minute and forward Fanendo Adi delivered a header on goal in the 39th minute, forcing Union goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre to parry the shot over the crossbar. In the second half, midfielder Gastón Fernández had a low drive smothered by Sylvestre in the 56th minute.
Portland finished the match with 52 percent of the possession and were level, 8-8, on corner kicks with the Union.
Next up, the Timbers return to the Rose City to play host to Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, July 18, at Providence Park; kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm PT.
Portland Timbers (9-7-4, 31pts) at Philadelphia Union (6-10-4, 22pts)
July 11, 2015 – PPL Park (Chester, Pa.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 0 0 0
Philadelphia Union 0 3 3
Scoring Summary
PHI: Wenger (Maidana), 69
PHI: Nogueira (Maidana), 71
PHI: Nogueira (Maidana), 82
Misconduct Summary
PHI: Edu (Caution), 35
PHI: Le Toux (Caution), 64
POR: Valeri (Caution), 86
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Weber, D Peay, D Borchers, D Ridgewell, D Jeanderson, M Johnson ©, M Jewsbury (Nanchoff, 83), M Valeri, M Fernández, M Wallace (Asprilla, 73), F Adi
Substitutes Not Used: GK Gleeson, D Manning, D Thoma, M Besler, M Fochive
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Three players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Adi, 2); FOULS: 7 (Jeanderson, Jewsbury, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 4
PHI: GK Sylvestre, D Gaddis, D Edu ©, D Marquez, D Fabinho, M Nogueira, M Carroll, M Le Toux (Williams, 85), M Maidana (Fred, 89), M Wenger (Pfeffer, 79), F Sapong
Substitutes Not Used: GK McCarthy, D White, F Casey, F Hoppenot
TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Nogueira, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Wenger, 3); FOULS: 8 (Edu, Marquez, 2); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 4
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Assistant Referees: Peter Balciunas, Kevin Klinger
4th Official: Alex Chilowicz
Attendance: 18,722
Time of Game: 1:49
Weather: Sunny, 87 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
