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Philadelphia Union Axe Portland Timbers 3-0

By John Whitesall

Jul 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Andrew Wenger (11) watches as his shot goes in for a score as Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell (24) looks on from the ground during the second half at PPL Park. The Union won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Andrew Wenger (11) watches as his shot goes in for a score as Portland Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell (24) looks on from the ground during the second half at PPL Park. The Union won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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For a game capped off with post-game fireworks, the Philadelphia Union made some fireworks of their own. Due to a second half scoring explosion from Andrew Wenger and a brace from Vincent Nogueira, the Union took down the Portland Timbers 3-0 in front of the home crowd at PPL Park. “I thought it was our most complete performance of the year. The game plan was to press in the first 15 minutes and our guys did that” said coach Jim Curtin following the result. “We scored what i thought was three very good goals.”

The first half did in fact have the Union pressing hard. Within the first 30 seconds of the match the Union would nearly open up the scoring with a chance at goal. The missed opportunities would continue throughout the entire first half including some chances by Sebastien LeToux and C.J. Sapong hitting the crossbar. The Union would take advantage of a somewhat weak Timbers left flank and exposing the defenders on order for them to penetrate the penalty area. In the 35th minute the first booking would arrive as Union midfielder and captain Maurice Edu would receive a yellow card. Due to a yellow card accumulation, Edu will sit out next weeks game against Toronto FC. From Curtin regarding the yellow card, “It’s a great tackle. It’s the tackle that I dream of as a center back. I loved it. I thought it was a clean play. I think that the mind sight of the referee was that it did look hard because a guy gets taken out but you can’t get more of the ball and the big thing right now in the program, and it’s not their fault but they always will say “studs up” that’s the big thing. I always rebut back, how can player in the field when you leave your feet not have your studs show? You can’t physically slide and not have your studs show… athletically you can’t.”   The Union managed to fire off 11 shots towards goalkeeper Andrew Weber and towards the end of the half the Union would fade a bit and the score would stand 0-0.

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The second half would have the Union once again continue the pressure down the left side. At times it would appear that the Union would do a carbon copy of the first half with missed opportunities at goal. But at the 69th minute, the fuse would be lit and the fireworks started. Wenger would snuff out his 19 game goal drought with an assist from Christien Maidana to give the Union a 1-0 lead. “Relief. It’s been a long time and I thought maybe I really was cursed there for a little bit but I’m happy to finally see it go in. Little bit of shock on my face because I thought maybe there was a post back there somewhere.” said Wenger on the goal. The Union would continue just two minutes later when Nogueira would hit the back of the net also assisted by Maidana to make it 2-0. In the 82nd minute Nogueira would find net again -assisted by Maidana for his third assist on the day to make it 3-0 and leave the The Union with 6-10-4 record and 22 points on the season. “Surprise, because it’s not my primary job. I mean I don’t mind scoring but the most important thing for me tonight is keeping the ball. I know everybody is talking about the two goals but it’s my best game so far for this reason and not my two goals.” added Nogueira on the brace.

The Union will travel north of the border next weekend to face Toronto FC.

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