Union 0 - 1 Timbers
Final
  for this game

Timbers to test perfect home mark against Union

May 5, 2011 - 7:13 PM Portland, OR (Sports Network) - Portland coach John Spencer was rather subdued after Saturday's win over Real Salt Lake, acknowledging, "just because we beat them ... doesn't mean we're better than them."

Spencer is aware the club's first season in Major League Soccer will have many ups and downs, and even after the 1-0 win over the 2009 MLS Cup champions and 2011 CONCACAF Champions League finalists admitted, we "hung on a little bit."

Kenny Cooper scored in the 22nd minute for Portland (3-3-1), which held on for its third win in as many games at Jeld-Wen Field. Friday presents another huge early-season test for the Timbers, albeit from an unexpected opponent.

The Philadelphia Union (4-1-1), who won just eight matches and posted just two shutouts in their debut season last year, have won all four of their games 1-0 and have allowed just two total goals in six games this season.

Although Portland has not figured out how to win on the road, the Timbers have already perfected their trade at home. Portland beat the Chicago Fire, 4-2, on April 14 for its first-ever win, then beat FC Dallas, 3-2, three days later.

The Timbers were humbled a bit with a 3-0 loss at the Los Angeles Galaxy, but the game with RSL produced another home win and the club's first shutout. Real had not lost in its last 18 league matches.

With Friday's match marking the first of three more home matches over the next four league fixtures, Portland is in good position to finish the opening-third of the season with a sparkling record. But Philadelphia has other ideas.

The Union have been the biggest surprise in MLS so far, and are coming off yet another shutout, 1-0 over the San Jose Earthquakes despite playing down a man for more than half the match after Jordan Harvey was sent off in the 42nd.

Sebastien Le Toux ended his season-long scoring drought from the penalty spot, as the Union sealed another good win. In six games, Philadelphia has not given up or scored more than one goal per game.

Real and Red Bull New York are the only other teams to allow just two goals so far this season, with no other club under five at this point. Considering the red card to Harvey, last week's shutout was the most impressive result yet for the Union.

"The team showed character," Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon said. "We showed everyone what we are made of.

"We have to continue like this."






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