PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-1 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Saturday afternoon, tying their club record for MLS home wins in a single season (11) as the team notched its fourth consecutive home win at Providence Park in league play. Midfielder Diego Valeri and forward Fanendo Adi each tallied a goal in the second half for Portland, while midfielder Darren Mattocks recorded two assists in an MLS game for the first time in his career.
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With the win, the Timbers (11-11-8, 41pts), who lead the league in home wins in 2016, extended their all-time record against the Philadelphia Union to 3-1-3, including a 3-0-1 record at Providence Park.
The Timbers opened the scoring one minute into the second half when Mattocks hustled to collect a loose ball on the far left side of the box, driving toward goal before setting up Valeri for a close-range finish in the 46th minute. With the finish, Valeri recorded his 12th league goal, an MLS career high for the midfielder, and his 14th goal in all competitions this season.
Following Philadelphia’s (11-11-8, 41pts) equalizer, a hard first-time strike from forward Chris Pontius from the edge of the box in the 47th minute, Portland regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Mattocks recorded his second assist of the match, setting up Adi for a redirect finish from close range. After dispossessing Philadelphia defender Keegan Rosenberry just outside the box, Mattocks ran at his defender before cutting inside on his right foot, curling the ball in the box toward Adi, who quickly flicked his chance in the goal to notch Portland’s second goal of the game. With the goal, Adi, who ranks fourth in MLS for goals scored (15), became the 16th player in MLS history to record consecutive seasons with 15 or more goals.
With 18 shots throughout the game, Portland threatened Philadelphia’s goal on a number of occasions, including a powerful left-footed attempt from Adi that forced a strong save from goalkeeper Andre Blake in the 18th minute of play. Less than 10 minutes before the end of the first half, the Timbers created their strongest chance of the opening half when defender Alvas Powell’s driven cross connected with Adi at the near post. Beating his marker to the ball, Adi produced a whipping header, narrowly missing the target.
In the 66th minute, Valeri’s floated cross into the box found Adi, who headed it back across the face of goal. Charging on to the ball, midfielder Darlington Nagbe came close to heading a follow-up attempt into the back of the net from inside the six-yard box, but the Union defense managed to clear the danger away. Continuing to push forward late in the game, Portland created two additional chances to add to their tally when midfielder Diego Chara came close to lobbing Blake in the 76th minute, while Nagbe’s free kick in the 79th minute just skimmed over the crossbar.
In the 90th minute, Chara sprung Mattocks in behind the Union’s defense, creating another chance on goal for the Timbers. Running onto Chara’s pass inside the box, Mattocks curled a first-time strike that resulted in a strong finger-tip save from Blake, forcing a corner.
Next up, the Timbers will travel to face the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on PDX TV (KDPX) with radio broadcasts on KUFO 970 AM (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
Portland Timbers (11-11-8, 41pts) vs. Philadelphia Union (11-11-8, 41pts)
Sept. 17, 2016 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Timbers 0 2 2
Philadelphia Union 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
POR: Valeri (Mattocks), 46
PHI: Pontius (Herbers), 47
POR: Adi (Mattocks), 53
Misconduct Summary:
PHI: Yaro (Caution), 25
PHI: Bedoya (Caution), 35
PHI: Carroll (Caution), 78
PHI: Yaro (Caution), 85
Lineups & Stats:
POR: GK Gleeson, D Powell, D S. Taylor, D Ridgewell ©, D Vytas, M Chara, M Jewsbury, M Nagbe, M Valeri (Zemanski, 90), M Mattocks, F Adi
Substitutes Not Used: GK Konopka, D Valentin, D J. Taylor, M Barmby, F Melano, F McInerney
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Adi, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Adi, 3); FOULS: 11 (Chara, 4); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 7
PHI: GK Blake, D Rosenberry, D Marquez, D Fabinho, D Yaro, M Bedoya, M Carroll © (Alberg, 79), M Pontius, M Barnetta, M Herbers (Illsinho, 67), F Sapong (Davies, 74)
Substitutes Not Used: GK McCarthy, D Tribbett, D Gaddis, M Creavalle
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Pontius, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Pontius, 3); FOULS: 18 (Two players tied, 5); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 4
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: Mike Rottersman, Adam Garner
4th Official: Daniel Radford
Attendance: 21,144
Weather: Light showers, 61 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
