Union earn first MLS win of the season away in Portland after big contributions by Jeremy Rafanello, Julián Carranza and Oliver Semmle
The Philadelphia Union defeated the Portland Timbers by a score of 3-1, thanks to a goal from Quinn Sullivan and a brace from Julián Carranza.
Chester, PA — With eight players away for international duty, the Union were able to get their first win of the season with big surprise performances from Jeremy Rafanello and Oliver Semmle.
It was clear early on that Portland wanted to keep the Union pinned down in their own half of the field as often as possible. 18 minutes into the first half Portland already had three shots, forcing a really good save from Oliver Semmle in the 17th minute on an Evander shot. Portland was leading in possession 72.5 to the Union’s 27.5, while completing 90% of their passes. After surviving that surge from Portland, the Union would get their first shot of the game in the 19th minute from Mikael Uhre after Kai Wagner had pressed high and stolen the ball off Portland’s Juan Mosquera. Portland three minutes later would have a chance with new signing Jonathan “Cabecita” Rodríguez who struck the post with his right footed effort.
Finally, the breakthrough for the Union in the 28th minute as Kai Wagner sent in an inswinging corner kick towards the center of the goal, with three defenders marking him, Julián Carranza is able to head the ball into the back of the net to put the Union up 1-0.
In the 35th minute Mikael Uhre had a chance to put the Union up 2-0 after good pressing by Kai Wagner and Julián Carranza to win the ball back inside Portland’s half. Kai Wagner plays a through ball into Mikael Uhre who is in 1v1 against Portland’s goalkeeper James Pantemis. Uhre opts for an outside of the boot right footed shot, which is saved by Pantemis’ face.
Four minutes into stoppage time in the first half, Oliver Semmle comes up with the biggest play of the night, saving a shot from distance by Evander, forcing a corner kick for Portland. On the following corner, Portland have a chance on the back post with Eryk Williamson and Dario Župarić, as both players are free, but neither one of them can poke in the Evander corner kick for the goal. The Union head into the half up 1-0, though they know it could’ve been a bigger story if it wasn’t for Oliver Semmle’s big saves, and a couple of missed opportunities by Portland.
Just like last week against Austin where the Union couldn’t capitalize on chances in the first half to go up multiple goals heading into halftime, you wondered if the missed chance by Mikael Uhre to put the Union up 2-0 would come back and haunt them? In the 52nd minute Mikael Uhre would get another chance after Jeremy Rafanello collected a lose ball in the midfield, he would find a wide open Mikael Uhre on the left hand side of the field. Uhre would take two touches with his right foot to out run Portland defender Zac McGraw. Once Uhre was inside the 18-yard box he would take another touch towards goal, but Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis did well to come off his line and make the save, sending the ball out for a corner kick.
The Union would get their third of the night in the 67th thanks to a quick restart taken by Jakob Glesnes. Quinn Sullivan had just been fouled at the halfway line by Dario Župarić, while Jakob Glesnes had noticed Portland out of position, he sent a long ball down the right hand side into Mikael Uhre who sends a first time driven cross into Julián Carranza who finishes to make it 3-0.
In the 80th minute Cabecita would finally capitalize on one of the many chances Portland created for him on the night. Santiago Moreno sent a cross into the box towards Cabecita, who is able to beat Olivier Mbaizo in the air to score Portland’s only goal of the night.
Oliver Semmle’s Big Night
Starting his fourth game of the season due to Andre Blake being away with Jamaica for international duty, Oliver Semmle produced his biggest performance of the season. Semmle had 5 saves on the night, saving 83.3% of the shots he faced. He was comfortable in his box, positioned himself well for a couple of saves, and didn’t spill any balls like he did in his first couple of starts.
“I thought when he had to make a big save and come out and be big, he was,” said Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin. “[He] didn’t give up rebounds [and] little things like that on a wet astroturf . So those are the fine lines and the fine margins.”
Jeremy Rafanello takes advantage of his second start of the year
Another player who was bound to play a big role in the game was Jeremy Rafanello. Everyone assumed that Rafanello would just slot in in his more natural attacking midfielder role, but Jim Curtin opted to play a flat 442 and play Rafanello next to Alejandro Bedoya. Rafanello completed 16/23 of his passes (70%), created one chance, had 7 ball recoveries, and had three shots from outside the 18-yard box, with one of those seeing James Pantemis spill the ball and Quinn Sullivan there to put in the rebound. Jim Curtin praised him after the game for his work in the attacking and defensive parts of the field, and moments like that are what will get Rafanello more opportunities in the future.
“Look he’s a great kid that has worked his ass off year after year,” said Jim Curtin. “Finally got some big minutes tonight and he’s one of those guys that passes a big test, and I hope it makes him grow in confidence and realize, you know what, I don’t want to just be a squad player thats on the outskirts looking in.”
To get into this Union squad you have to be a player that has versatility, and with Rafanello showing well in a deeper role, that surely is going to move him up higher in the depth chart, proving to this Union coaching staff that he’s ready to be called upon no matter what.
What’s next
The Union return back home to Subaru Park for a 2:00 pm kickoff this Saturday against a first place Minnesota United team in the Western Conference, who remain undefeated with a 3-0-1 record.