Philaelphia Union Vs Portland Timbers: 3 things we learned – Sebastian Blanco masterclass

On Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers faced off in the first of the MLS is Back semi-finals. Here are three things we learned from the Timbers’ 2-1 victory.

In the first of the MLS is Back semi-finals, the experience of the Portland Timbers won out as a young and vibrant Philadelphia Union team was sent home, suffering their first loss of the competition.

Jeremy Ebobisse scored his fourth goal of the competition, heading home Diego Valeri’s corner early on, before Sebastian Blanco, the Man of the Match and potentially the Player of the Tournament, scored the Timbers’ second, another header from a Valeri corner. Andrew Wootten scored late on for the Union to make things interesting, but the damage was already done.

Here are three things we learned from the Portland Timbers’ 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.

3. Sebastian Blanco, Player of the Tournament

In a tournament full of brilliant individual performances from Portland Timbers winger Sebastian Blanco, this might have been his best. But not for his usual offensive inspiration and ingenuity, although he did score the second goal. But rather, for his attitude, commitment, discipline, and work-rate.

The Timbers executed their usual counter-attacking style. This demands the wide players to sit deep, track the opposing runs of the attacking full-backs, and helped form a bank of four in front of the backline in the 4-4-1-1 shape. Blanco conducted his role diligently, winning back possession, clearing the ball in deep areas, winning fouls when his team was under pressure, and working relentlessly hard.

And then, when he did have the chance to impact the game in the final third, invariably, he did. He scored the second goal with a lovely deft header after finding space at the far post from a corner. He continually carried his team up the pitch with lengthy dribbles and ball carries and created chances on the counter-attack after switching to the right flank in the second half. This was Blanco at his very best, and he might have just secured his place as the Player of the Tournament.