With eyes on a midweek US Open Cup semifinal against Chicago Fire on Wednesday and a showdown with New England Revolution next weekend, Jim Curtin handed starting minutes to a number of players that have spent most of the season coming off the bench. Derrick Jones and Warren Creavalle patrolled the center behind Borek Dockal, and Marcus Epps and Fabian Herbers supported CJ Sapong along the front line. Jack Elliott returned to the lineup in place of Mark McKenzie while Fabinho spelled Ray Gaddis on the left side of the back line and wore the captain’s armband.
The Timbers play a ferociously intense counterattacking style that limits penetration through the middle, and the first half was a battle to create central penetration. Portland sought to attack gaps between Keegan Rosenberry and Elliott going forward while the Union remained largely right-sided as Dockal drifted wide to find space.
In the 16th minute, Fabinho moved up the left wing and delivered a cross into the box that flew just over Sapong’s head and in front of Herbers. Sapong was again involved in the 23rd minute when he combined with Herbers, cut onto his left foot at the top right corner of the box, and attempted a curler toward the far post. The shot lacked zest, however, and Jeff Attinella saved it with a languid dive.
Six minutes later, the same two attackers combined when Herbers cut the ball back to Sapong at the top of the box. The striker whiffed, however, and Portland quickly countered through Armenteros, who was forced away from goal by strong positional play from Auston Trusty.
In the 43rd minute, Valeri squeaked through the Union lines and Armenteros found him free in the box. The reigning MVP pulled his shot wide, much to Philly’s collective relief.
Just after halftime, it was Herbers and Sapong once more charging at the Timbers defense. Sapong was forced wide by Herbers’ final pass and could only slot a weak shot at goal that Attinella stopped with a well-placed leg.
In the 56th minute, Fabinho lost his footing at the edge of the box while chasing Alvas Powell and took down the wingback for a penalty. Diego Valeri dispatched the resulting spot kick beyond Andre Blake to give the home side the lead.
After the goal, Portland reverted to their deep counterattacking shape and neither team produced much offensively. In the 68th minute, Elliott quickly outleted the ball to Herbers. He centered for substitute Fafa Picault — who had entered for Marcus Epps — and the ball made its way to Dockal, who lost it on the bouncy Portland turf.
Ale Bedoya and Haris Medunjanin entered the match as time wound down, replacing Jones and Dockal respectively. In the 70th minute, Portland countered through Chara up the left, and the Union cut out the midfielder’s pass before taking off upfield, but once again the Timbers defense around the box was too strong and Herbers could not free Bedoya.
Eleven minutes from time, Andy Polo created space for himself at the top of the bx on the right and fired near post. Blake pawed the ball down to substitute Dairon Asprilla’s feet, but the attacker tackled himself and the ball rolled out of play, though offsides may have been called regardless.
Portland put the match away in the 83rd minute after Warren Creavalle caught Valeri’s ankle at the edge of the box. The whistle was immediate and Asprilla drove his shot low past Blake, who got a hand on the ball but could not push it wide of the post.
Valeri was involved again when the home side pulled away with their third goal. The Timbers’ captain lifted a set piece to the far post and David Guzman headed it back across goal and into the net past a diving Blake.
The Union are back in action at Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday when they welcome Chicago Fire for the club’s fourth ever US Open Cup semifinal match.
