MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Aug. 5, 2020
Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Orlando, Fla.)
Forecast: Scattered thunderstorms, 83 degrees
Referee: Allen Chapman
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Jeremy Kieso
Fourth Official: Ramy Touchan
VAR: Joe Dickerson
NATIONAL TV: FS1
Talent: John Strong (play-by-play), Stu Holden (analyst)
English Radio: 750 The Game
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Nat Borchers (analyst), Judah Newby (host)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers will square off against the Philadelphia Union in the Semifinals of the MLS is Back Tournament on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 5 p.m. (Pacific), at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The match will feature a national broadcast on FS1, with local radio broadcasts on 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). Wednesday’s match marks the 11th meeting all-time between Portland and Philadelphia, with the Timbers leading the series 6-1-3. Portland scored three unanswered goals to secure a spot in the Semifinal round of the MLS is Back Tournament with a 3-1 win in the quarterfinals against New York City FC on Aug. 1. Sebastián Blanco has been directly involved in seven (2g, 5a) of Portland’s 10 goals at the tournament, while his five assists are tied for the tournament lead. Diego Valeri has tallied two goals and an assist in five tournament appearances. Notably, Andy Polo has registered one goal in five appearances for the Timbers in the competition. Entering Saturday’s semifinal match against Portland, the Philadelphia Union finished second in Group A (2-0- 1) behind Orlando City SC and advanced to the Knockout Round. In their Round of 16 match, Philadelphia earned a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution on July 25. In their quarterfinal match, the Union defeated Sporting KC 3-1 on July 30. Sergio Santos, who leads the team with three goals in the tournament, tallied two goals in the win over SKC. Goalkeeper Andre Blake leads all goalkeepers in the tournament with 27 saves and ranks tied for first with two shutouts.
SCOUTING PHILADELPHIA UNION
Entering Saturday’s semifinal match against Portland, the Philadelphia Union finished second in Group A (2-0-1) behind Orlando City SC and advanced to the Knockout Round. In their Round of 16 match, Philadelphia earned a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution on July 25. In their quarterfinal match, the Union defeated Sporting KC 3-1 on July 30. Sergio Santos, who leads the team with three goals in the tournament, tallied two goals in the win over SKC. Goalkeeper Andre Blake leads all goalkeepers in the tournament with 27 saves and ranks tied for first with two shutouts.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match marks the 11th meeting all-time across all competitions between the Timbers and the Philadelphia Union since the Timbers entered MLS in 2011, with Portland leading the series 6-1-3. In the last four regular-season meetings between the two clubs dating back to September 17, 2016, the Timbers are 4-0-0, outscoring Philadelphia 11-3. In four matches road matches against Philadelphia, Portland holds a record of 2-1-2. In seven career appearances against the Union, Diego Valeri has registered three goals and three assists. In the last meeting between the two clubs, the Timbers earned a 3-1 win over the Union at Talen Energy Stadium on May 25, 2019.
DIEGO ‘EL MAESTRO’ VALERI
With his game-winning goal off the bench against New York City FC on Aug. 1, Diego Valeri registered his second game-winning goal of the MLS is Back Tournament, which ranks tied for first in the competition. Valeri has tallied two goals and an assist in five tournament appearances. In 253 appearances (234 starts) across all competitions for the Timbers, Valeri has tallied 91 goals and 90 assists. Since making his debut for Portland in 2013, Valeri leads all MLS players in assists (82), ranks fifth in goals scored (79) and seventh in games played (216) during regular-season play. Notably, In seven career appearances against the Philadelphia Union, Valeri has registered three goals and three assists.
FROM POLAND WITH GOALS
In his fifth appearance of the MLS is Back Tournament, Jaroslaw Niezgoda came off the bench to assist Diego Valeri’s game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over New York City FC in the quarterfinals on Aug. 1. Niezgoda has made five appearances (two starts), logging two goals and an assist in 153 minutes of action in the competition. Notably, Niezgoda has registered a rate of 1.17 goals per 90 minutes played during the tournament.
ANDY POLO GOLAZO
In his fifth appearance of the MLS is Back Tournament, Andy Polo came off the bench to score a curling, long-range effort into the top corner of the net in a 3-1 win over New York City FC on Aug. 1. Polo has made five appearances (one start), logged 117 minutes and tallied one goal in the competition. Polo has tallied two goals and four assists in 55 appearances across all competitions for the Timbers.
