Photo Essay by Darby Winer/Special to The Philly Soccer Page
The Philadelphia Union traveled to Portland with a daunting task ahead of them. Winless on the season, without eight players away on international duty, and carrying only a five-man bench, finding their first win of the season would seem like the most improbable outcome from their trip to Providence Park.
The Union withstood an early onslaught from the Timbers though, thanks to some strong goalkeeping from Oliver Semmle and fortunate bounces off the posts, and never looked back from a Julian Carranza goal off a Kai Wagner corner in the 28th minute. Carranza would add a second goal in the 67th minute after a goal from Quinn Sullivan in the 58th minute.
The Union would hold on to win their first game of the season 3-1.
Philadelphia Union right back Olivier Mbaizo looks for a teammate on a throw-in in the first half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (left) works against Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara in the first half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union forward Julian Carranza (right) celebrates his first goal of the night with teammate Markus Anderson (No. 35) in the first half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union midfielder Markus Anderson works the ball past Portland Timbers forward Santiago Moreno in the second half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan advances the ball in the second half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union forward Julian Carranza points to the camera after Quinn Sullivan (left) score a goal in the second half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union left back Kai Wagner (right) works to stop the advance of Portland Timbers forward Santiago Moreno (center) in the second half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union midfielder Jeremy Rafanello holds his face after going down injured in the second half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union forward Julian Carranza works the ball past Portland Timbers defender Dario Župarić in the second half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union forward Julian Carranza celebrates his second goal in the second half of the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (left) and Portland Timbers midfielder Evander share a moment following the Union’s 3-1 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore. on Saturday night, March 23, 2024. (Darby Winter/Special to The Philly Soccer Page)
Thanks for the pictures!
Thank you for sharing these moments!
Great photos! Thank you for sharing!
Compliments to Kyle Grantham for knowing the etiquette and other aspects of creating this type of photo essay.
Always love the photo essay of the games! Especially the away games! Helps me feel like I was there… almost!