MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Extend Unbeaten Run to 15 Games with 3-0 Shutout Victory over Philadelphia Union

Published on August 5, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-0 before 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Saturday night, extending their unbeaten run to 15 league games, which matches their MLS club record for consecutive games without a loss. Three different players scored in the second half for the Timbers, with midfielder Diego Valeri notching his eighth goal of the season, while forward Dairon Asprilla and midfielder David Guzmán each converted their first league goals of the 2018 campaign. The 3-0 result also marked Portland's sixth regular-season clean sheet in 2018.

Recent form

The Timbers (10-3-7, 37pts) have not suffered a loss in league play since April 8, producing a 15-game unbeaten run during that stretch. Portland's 15-game unbeaten run over the span of nearly four months is the longest active streak in MLS and the longest in the league in 2018. Additionally, the 15-game unbeaten streak (10-0-5) matches a club record, previously set in the 2013 campaign. The Timbers are the only MLS club to have a 15-game unbeaten run twice in MLS play.

Home unbeaten streak

With the win over the Union (8-11-3, 27pts), the Timbers have not lost at Providence Park in 16 straight games, dating back to July 19, 2017. During that stretch, the Timbers have produced a 13-0-3 record at Providence Park. Additionally, the Timbers are one of two teams in MLS to remain unbeaten at home this season.

Milestone marker

Saturday's match marked the fewest number of games needed to reach double-digit wins in MLS play for the Timbers. Portland reached 10 wins in just its 20th match of the season, four fewer than any other season. Additionally, defender Larrys Mabiala became the first Timbers defender to start in 20 straight matches in league play to start a season.

Key plays

Heading into halftime, the Timbers created a strong opportunity when a quick build-up play released midfielder Diego Chara into the box. Running at the goal, Chara quickly flicked the ball back toward the edge of the box for midfielder Andy Polo, whose first-time, left-footed volley went high of the target in the 33rd minute.

With two minutes left in the first half, the Timbers came close to scoring when forward Samuel Armenteros slipped the ball in behind for Valeri, who cut the ball back past his defender, before pulling his final attempt just wide of the far post.

With Philadelphia attempting to create chances, midfielder Derrick Jones produced a strong effort from inside the box in the 50th minute, but Portland goalkeeper Jeff Attinella was quick to react at the near post, producing a strong diving save to push the ball wide.

Just eight minutes later, Portland opened the scoring when defender Alvas Powell was taken down in the box, allowing Valeri to convert his eighth goal of the season. The midfielder carefully placed the ball right down the middle of the goal, sending goalkeeper Andre Blake the wrong way.

With six minutes remaining in the match, Portland doubled its lead when Valeri was brought down inside the box, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Stepping up to the penalty spot, Asprilla blasted a strong effort into the left corner, giving the Timbers a 2-0 lead in the 84th minute.

The Timbers scored the final goal of the match with three minutes remaining when a deep free kick from Valeri found Guzmán at the back post, with the defender whipping a well-placed header into the far corner in the 87th minute.

Notes:

- Portland is undefeated in its last 15 MLS regular-season matches with a 10-0-5 record, the longest streak in MLS this season.

- Portland's 15-game unbeaten streak ties an MLS-club record and is also tied for the fourth-longest unbeaten streak in a single season in MLS history. The Timbers are the only MLS club to have a 15-game unbeaten streak twice in MLS play.

- The Timbers are unbeaten in their last 16 home regular-season matches with a record of 13-0-3. Portland's last home regular-season loss occurred more than a year ago on July 19, 2017.

- Portland is one of two MLS teams this season without a home loss.

- The match marked the fewest number of games needed to reach double-digit wins in MLS play for the Timbers. Portland reached 10 wins in just its 20th match of the season, four fewer than any other season.

- Diego Valeri scored his eighth goal of the season, which leads the club in 2018.

- Valeri's goal was his ninth penalty kick goal since the beginning of last season, which leads MLS in that span.

- David Guzmán scored his first goal of the season and the second of his Timbers career.

- Dairon Asprilla scored his first MLS goal of the season. The goal was Asprilla's second competitive goal in 2018, with the striker also scoring in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

- Ten different players have scored in MLS play for Portland this season.

- Valeri delivered his 10th assist of the season, which is tied for the sixth-most assists in MLS in 2018.

- Valeri has seven assists in his last six matches. Those seven assists are the most in MLS since June 30.

- Valeri is the fourth MLS player this season to have a goal, an assist and a penalty kick earned all in the same match.

- It was the third time in an MLS match that Portland scored two penalty kicks in the same match.

- With the start, Larrys Mabiala became the first Timbers defender to start the first 20 games of an MLS season.

- Guzmán made his first start in MLS play since returning from the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

- Jeff Attinella has posted a record of 9-0-5 this season, tallying six clean sheets. The six shutouts in a single season are a career-high for Attinella.

Next game

Next up, the Timbers will conclude their four-game homestand when the team plays host to Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park on Saturday, Aug. 11. Beginning at 8 p.m. (Pacific), the Aug. 11 match will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (10-3-7, 37pts) vs. Philadelphia Union (8-11-3, 27pts)

Aug. 4, 2018 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Philadelphia Union 0 0 0

Portland Timbers 0 3 3

Scoring Summary:

POR: Valeri (Penalty kick), 58

POR: Asprilla (Penalty kick), 84

POR: Guzmán (Valeri), 87

Misconduct Summary:

PHI: Bedoya (Caution), 90

Lineups:

POR: GK Attinella, D Mabiala, D Olum, D Cascante, M Powell, M Guzmán, M Valentin, M Chara, M Polo, F Valeri ©, F Armenteros (Asprilla, 75)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Gleeson, D Tuiloma, D Vytas, M Flores, M Paredes, M Conechny

TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Valeri, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Six players tied, 1); FOULS: 11 (Chara, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3

PHI: GK Blake, D Fabinho, D Trusty, D Elliott, D Rosenberry, M Creavalle, M Jones (Bedoya, 65), M Dockal (Medunjanin, 74), M Herbers, M Epps (Picault, 58), F Sapong

Substitutes Not Used: GK McCarthy, D Gaddis, D Marquez, F Accam

TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Sapong, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Sapong, 2); FOULS: 13 (Fabinho, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 3

Referee: Alan Kelly

Assistant Referees: Matthew Nelson, Jeremy Hanson

4th Official: Farhad Dadkho

VAR: Alex Chilowicz

Attendance: 21,144

Weather: Sunny, 82 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 5, 2018


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