Halftime Report: Philadelphia Union all square with Portland Timbers

The Philadelphia Union returned home for the first time since March 11th to take on Portland Timbers. With a returning Richie Marquez and Ilsinho, Philadelphia went into halftime all square with Portland, 1-1.

Philadelphia had the first legitimate shot on net when CJ Sapong backheeled a pass toward goal for Fabinho, whose shot was kicked away from close range by Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson.

In the 18th minute, the Union again had a dangerous opportunity as Gleeson came up large by diving to his left and parrying a Haris Medunjanin free kick away from the net.

The building Union pressure finally got to the Timbers. In the 26th minute, a Haris Medunjanin corner kick found the head of Marquez, who redirected the ball into the back of the net at the far post to give the Union a 1-0 lead.

It was Marquez’s first goal and Medunjanin’s second assist of the campaign so far.

The lead was short-lived as the potent Timbers offense answered nearly five minutes later. In the 32nd minute, despite being surrounded by Union defenders, Darlington Nagbe ripped a shot into the bottom left corner to tie the game at one from about 20 yards.

As dominant as Philadelphia played the first 25 minutes, Caleb Porter’s side controlled the rate of play in the last 20 minutes.

Overall, it was a solid first half for the Union. Keep an eye out in the second half for the Union to tighten up on the wings, especially on Nagbe, who has been a problem the first 45 minutes.