Played
March 12, 2012 10:00 PM EDT
JELD-WEN Field — Portland, Oregon
Referee: B. Toledo
Attendance: 20438
March 12, 2012 10:00 PM EDT
JELD-WEN Field — Portland, Oregon
Referee: B. Toledo
Attendance: 20438
Portland Timbers 3-1 Philadelphia Union: Kris Boyd scores on his debut as Timbers win opener
Gabriel Gomez gave the visitors a second half advantage, but the Timbers scored three unanswered goals to seal the win.
By Seth Vertelney
The Portland Timbers emphatically responded to going down 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals to record a 3-1 win in their season opener.
The first half was a scrappy affair with both sides looking to get stuck into challenges and adjusting to the wet artificial surface at a rainy JELD-WEN Field.
The second half was a different story though, and the visitors opened the scoring against the run of play in the 51st minute. Gabriel Gomez struck a free kick from 35 yards out and rookie defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste got in the way of his goalkeeper Troy Perkins. The ball skimmed off his head and into the net for a goal which was credited to Gomez.
Just three minutes later, Jean-Baptiste more than made amends with a goal which has to be put on the shoulders of Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath. The rookie rose up to win a header and a diving MacMath managed to let the relatively easy shot slip under his body to level the match at one.
Ten minutes later and the home side was in front, thanks to offseason Designated Player signing Kris Boyd. Kalif Alhassan sent in a left-footed cross from the right side and the Scottish international cleverly cut in front of his defender to flick a header across his body and into the far post.
The win was sealed in the 76th minute when Alhassan chipped what appeared to be a cross into the box, only to see it float over MacMath and into the far post, giving his team a 3-1 lead which would end up as the final score.
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The first half was a scrappy affair with both sides looking to get stuck into challenges and adjusting to the wet artificial surface at a rainy JELD-WEN Field.
The second half was a different story though, and the visitors opened the scoring against the run of play in the 51st minute. Gabriel Gomez struck a free kick from 35 yards out and rookie defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste got in the way of his goalkeeper Troy Perkins. The ball skimmed off his head and into the net for a goal which was credited to Gomez.
Just three minutes later, Jean-Baptiste more than made amends with a goal which has to be put on the shoulders of Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath. The rookie rose up to win a header and a diving MacMath managed to let the relatively easy shot slip under his body to level the match at one.
Ten minutes later and the home side was in front, thanks to offseason Designated Player signing Kris Boyd. Kalif Alhassan sent in a left-footed cross from the right side and the Scottish international cleverly cut in front of his defender to flick a header across his body and into the far post.
The win was sealed in the 76th minute when Alhassan chipped what appeared to be a cross into the box, only to see it float over MacMath and into the far post, giving his team a 3-1 lead which would end up as the final score.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
8 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
