After 45 minutes at JELD-WEN Field, it is still scoreless between the Portland Timbers and the Philadelphia Union. But all was not as level as the score suggests. The Timbers easily had the bulk of the possession in the first half and had a few quality chances on Faryd Mondragon's goal.
Portland Timbers Vs. Philadelphia Union: Halftime, Scoreless at JELD-WEN Field
Philadelphia came out with a very young back four with the Farfan brothers, Gabriel and Michael, both have really showed well in the first half along side Carlos Valdes and Sheanon Williams. The Union back line has done an excellent job so far at cutting down the passing lines for the Timbers from their midfield. Jack Jewsbury and Diego Chara haven't been able to get too many good balls through to Kenny Cooper or Jorge Perlaza.
The few times that the Timbers have seen success in getting Cooper or Perlaza open were on the wings with Jeremy Hall or Darlington Nagbe. Both young players have done well at springing their forwards free into the attack. But in the end, the Timbers haven't been able to capitalize with their chances.
The best possibly came at the end of the first half as Portland got a free kick outside the penalty area. Jewsbury hit a wonderful ball into the box where Eric Brunner got a head on it but it sailed over the crossbar. Brunner was wide open on the header and could have done better to hammer it home for the game’s first goal.
On the other end, the Union have only seen a couple chances but are getting some success down the right side with Danny Mwanga. Once he shifted over to that side the game opened up a little for the visitors and their possession seemed to follow. Mwanga lead a dangerous chance late in the first half where he used his speed and strength to get by a Timbers defender and nearly found Carlos Ruiz on the back post. Had he played the ball a touch sooner Philadelphia would probably be sitting with a one goal lead at the half.
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