After a scoreless first half, the Portland Timbers benefited from two penalty kicks, converted by Diego Valeri and Dairon Asprilla, and a headed goal from David Guzmán in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union at Providence Park. With the win, the Timbers are now undefeated in 15 league matches, their longest streak of the MLS era.
The first half did not feature any goals, and chances on each side were scarce.
But seconds into the second half, the visitors had a good chance with CJ Sapong‘s shot being kicked away by Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella. Five minutes later Attinella would come up big again, getting a great save on the shot from Marcus Epps.
In the 58th minute, the Timbers would awarded a penalty kick when Alvas Powell was pulled down by Philadelphia’s Fabinho while making a run into the box. Center referee Alan Kelly pointed at the spot and Diego Valeri put the penalty kick right down the middle, easily beating Jeff Blake who dove right on the shot, and the Timbers had a 1-0 lead.
In the 84th minute, the home side which once again be awarded a penalty kick, this time when Valeri was kicked from behind by Auston Trusty, and this time it was Asprilla who stepped up, with Blake getting a bit of the ball as he once again dove right, but not enough to keep the shot out of the net, and the Timbers had widened the lead to 2-0.
Just a few minutes later, in the 87th minute, the Timbers widened the lead to 3-0 when David Guzmán headed a free kick by Valeri just inside the right post which was the final score of the match.
Jeff Attinella had three saves for the Timbers, while Jeff Blake also recorded three saves for the Union.
Timbers.com match report | Video highlights
