When these two teams walked out onto the field at PPL Park last night, nobody really predicted a huge win from the Union…or their third shutout in six games…or a nine month scoreless streak to be broken by Andrew Wenger. But all of those happened as the Union soared to a 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers.
There were two main changes from last games lineup, Sebastien Le Toux returned to the lineup alongside Wenger with Zach Pfeffer moving to the bench. The three CM’s started all come in extremely useful when playing a defensive strategy whereas Pfeffer’s skillset is much more attacking.
The game started brilliantly straight from the off. After kick-off, CJ Sapong touched down Maidana’s through ball only for Wenger to have his shot blocked by Timbers goalkeeper Andrew Weber.
The signs were laid and the first half was a hugely one sided affair. Shot after shot, corner after corner for the Union. Le Toux was getting closer and closer, taking no time at all to re-adjust to the MLS pace upon his return. Brian Carroll also missed an early chance before the Unions leading striker, C.J Sapong broke a run towards the Timbers keeper allowing Marquez to loop a ball over the top to find the frenchman, but the ball was parried out for yet another corner. The Timbers were not looking like the dominating presence we feared.
It took the Timbers 36 minutes to get their first real taste of attacking football when Maurice Edu wtackled Diego Valeri and was awarded a yellow card, seeing him suspended through accumulation next game. Valeri took the resulting free kick 25 yards out, curled it over the wall but only to find Sylvestre’s safety.
Nogueira had a shot blocked just moments later with Sapong then hitting the crossbar to round out the first half. The Sons Of Ben were cheering at the top of their lungs and you could almost feel the confidence raging inside the stadium.
The second half started a little frisky, but before the most surprising event of the game. Andrew Wenger’s last MLS goal came against Columbus nine months to the day, but he broke the streak in glorious fashion. Wenger let fly from just outside 18 yards which flew into the top corner to earn the Union a 1-0 lead and earn him a huge appraisal from the Sons of Ben.
If that wasn’t enough, just two minutes later the lead was doubled. Vincent Nogueira broke the flow of play inside his own half and used a great counter attacking move to find Maidana on the tight. A cheeky one-two with Le Toux brought the duo close, but it was a pass back to the man who started all, Nogueira who hammered a strike high up into the near post corner.
The Union were still not content with two goals however. Vincent Nogueira struck again to find his second of the game in the 82nd minute when a gorgeous display of passing between himself and Maidana led them into the box, Maidana could have taken the shot on but the ball bounced twice ahead of him, leaving Vincent with the easy finish. Two goals for Nogueira, three assists for the Union’s most consistent midfielder.
This win was huge for the Union, another three points will aid their play-off charge gracefully. They will look to continue this form on Tuesday in a friendly against Premier League newbies AFC Bournemouth. A side who have risen from the bottom depths of English Football, to the very top in recent years, defying the big money attitude of most clubs. It should be a vastly entertaining game.
