The Philadelphia Union entered Saturday night's contest with the Portland Timbers desperate for their first win of the season. Unfortunately, that desperation didn't yield results, as the visitors left 3-1 winners thanks to Roy Miller's first ever MLS goal, a 66th minute glancing header on an inch perfect Diego Valeri free kick. The result leaves Philadelphia rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference and one of only two teams in MLS without a win in 2017.
Things started perfectly for the home side, as their high pressure led to multiple opportunities culminating in the opener off of the head of center back Richie Marquez in the 26th minute. But the lead was short lived, as Portland equalized six minutes later thanks to a fantastic individual effort from Darlington Nagbe, who's 20 yard strike eluded the legs of multiple Union defenders and beat keeper Andre Blake low to his right.
The second half was all Portland, who took the lead with Miller's header and then iced the result with a Fanendo Adi penalty kick, his club-record 46th goal, just before the death.
Goals
- 26' – PHI – Richie Marquez Watch
- 32' – POR – Darlington Nagbe Watch
- 66' – POR – Roy Miller Watch
- 88' – POR – Fanendo Adi Watch
Three Things
- TURBULENT TIMES IN PHILLY as boos echoed down on the field from frustrated fans at the final whistle. The Union, one of two winless teams in MLS this season, continue to struggle for results and keep coming up short at home. Time will tell what measures will be taken in the near term by the Union front office, but there are clearly some things that will be discussed behind closed doors in the City of Brotherly Love.
- PORTLAND CONTINUES SCORCHING HOT SCORING by throwing another crooked number onto the scoresheet. It's a bit early in the season to think about this, but with 13 goals in its first five games, Portland is on track to beat the league's scoring mark for a season, held by the LA Galaxy, who scored 85 goals in 1998.
- SO THAT'S WHAT IT FEEL LIKE TO SCORE A GOAL. Roy Miller is in his seventh season in MLS, has played 130 games, and only just scored his first goal. Considering the role he played for years with the New York Red Bulls – flying up and down the wing overlapping from his full back position – this one is a bit unbelievable. Maybe the move to center back has something to do with it...
