Philadelphia Union Vs Portland Timbers: 3 things to watch for – The unbeatens battle
1. Have the Union clicked?
While the Philadelphia Union are yet to lose in the MLS is Back Tournament, their performances have not quite been the high level they were for the majority of the 2019 season. There has been plenty to be positive about, of course, but they never produced that statement win.
They had not won a game by more than one goal. They scored more than one on only one occasion, a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami who set a record for expansion teams having lost their first five games in their MLS existence, and has scored only five goals in four matches. It was functional, but the Union weren’t flying.
That was until the quarter-finals. Against a dangerous Sporting KC team, the Union blitzed Peter Vermes’ team in a brutal first-half performance. They scored three goals in 15 minutes and then held out for a comfortable 3-1 victory. It was one of the best collective showings from any team in the entire competition.
Next. Orlando City Vs LAFC: 3 things we learned. dark
The Union have always been on the verge of putting everything together. That they were winning without having done so shows how brilliant they can be. And now they have finally clicked into gear, can the Portland Timbers stay with them?