Taking a page out Philadelphia’s (4-2-1, 13 points) book Portland (4-3-1, 13 points) posted a clean sheet in Friday night’s action against the visiting Union. The teams took the pitch under a steady rain that has become a trademark of early season Timbers games and may have played a factor in the tentative play that marked the opening salvo. In a match receiving top billing as part of Fox Soccer’s new, “Soccer Night in America” the teams in particular offered contrasting styles of play highlighted by the Timbers attacking style up against one of the stingiest defenses in the league.
For most of the night both teams battled back and forth with the first half being short on any credible chances though the threat always loomed. Futty Danso, the Timbers center back, had an early header that went wide right of the post. In the 38th minute Philadelphia nearly took the lead after home town hero Danny Mwanga broke into the box and after his dangerous ball to Sheanon Williams was deflected by defender Jeremy Hall, Sebastian Le Toux’s second effort breezed straight into goalkeeper Troy Perkin’s hands. Undeterred, Portland looked to steal the lead before heading in the locker rooms. On another set piece, after Kenny Cooper was fouled, a Jewsbury free kick found Eric Brunner on the end of it as he sent it at the goal. Unfortunately for Portland, it ended up too high, floating over the crossbar to end the play.
Soon after the whistle began the second half Portland came out firing and began to establish the game at their tempo and would never look back. The breakthrough would come in the 72nd minute as Danso put buried a header from a free kick by Jack Jewsbury which would prove the match winner. This continues an excellent run of play for the Timbers off of set pieces which have accounted for more than 60% of the team’s goals this season.
After the game John Spencer, who could be found joining the Timbers Army waving a flag during a little post game celebration, had this to say on the offensive play, “We’re getting such great service from Jack Jewsbury. I said to Futty (Danso) and Eric (Brunner) at halftime, ‘You’re going to get another chance, you’ve got to hit the target with it, just make the goalkeeper make a save.’ Luckily enough, we get one and Futty puts it in the back of the net. I thought it was a tremendous header.”
Now the Timbers prepare to head north for the first game of the Cascadia Cup against the Seattle Sounders. With more than the cup on the line, the Timbers will look to continue their ascendancy in the standings against their hated rivals.
(images courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer and Allison Andrews)
