The Philadelphia Union take their 4-1-1 record over to Portland to face the Timbers, 3-3-1, at Jeld-Wen Field on Friday night. The game is being aired nationally on FSC as part of their new Soccer Night in America at 10:30pm Eastern.
Portland comes into this match on short rest after hosting San Jose on Tuesday in a US Open Cup qualifier, a game in which they suffered their first home defeat. I wouldn’t read too much into that as the Timbers made numerous changes to their starting XI. This will be Portland’s 3rd game in 7 days as they beat Real Salt Lake 1-0 last Saturday. The combination of a win and a clean sheet over one of the premier teams in the MLS should be a boost to their confidence. Unlike Philadelphia, the Timbers don’t have a problem scoring goals. In fact they have twice as many goals in league play as the Union giving them a total of 10. One big difference is that Portland has allowed 13 goals while the Union have conceded just 2. Portland’s front line features Kenny Cooper, with 3 goals, and Jorge Perlaza, with 2 goals. Cooper’s size and skill combined the speed and playmaking ability of Perlaza will provide Philadelphia’s defense another tough test.
The Union enter this contest down a starting left back due to Jordan Harvey’s unwarranted red card versus San Jose last time out. Either Garbriel Farfan, who is returning from injury, or his brother Michael, who played an excellent 45 minutes against the Quakes, is expected to fill in for Harvey. Amobi Okugo has been playing well in the defensive midfield role, and last Saturday he got the chance to show that he is capable of playing that position on his own. Keon Daniel, Carlos Valdes, and Sheanon Williams were all named to MLSsoccer.com’s week 7 team of the week. Keon has steadily improved his game with each start and provides the Union offense with much needed width. Valdes, Williams, & Danny Califf have been rocks on defense. Sebastien Le Toux will hope to recapture last season’s goal scoring form after notching his first goal of the season last weekend.
Both teams have big games following this one. Portland head north to face their rivals, Seattle Sounders, and Philly host the Galaxy to whom they suffered their only defeat of the season. Both will have to stay focused and not look past this game. The Timbers will be without the services of forwards, Bright Duke, Eddie Johnson, & Brian Umony. Backup goalkeeper Thorne Holder is unavailable for the Union.
(image courtesy of Greg Carroccio)
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