Lack of scoring makes Union fall
The Union’s season-long scoring woes cost them points in the standings Friday night.Kept scoreless Famous Team Soccer and playing without two of their defensive staples, the Union suffered a 1-0 defeat to expansion Portland at JELD-WEN Field.Manager Peter Nowak’s club has scored the fewest goals in Major League Soccer, notching five goals in their seven matches.The Union (4-2-1, 13 points) were without leftback Jordan Harvey, who served a one-game suspension, and centerback Danny Califf, who didn’t make the Pacific Northwest trip while battling an unspecified illness. Nowak gave the nod to twin brothers Michael and Gabriel Farfan, who made their first starts.
The inexperience on defense, for the most part, was a moot point until the 72nd minute. That’s when the Timbers (4-3-1, 13 points) took the lead for good on the match’s only goal. Defender Mamadou Danso headed in Jack Jewsbury’s free kick past Union keeper Faryd Mondragon Famous Team Soccer and inside the near post.Nowak objected to a handball whistle near midfield against Union midfielder Amobi Okugo, which set up the Portland freekick.“I thought the last 20 minutes, we were still going to push for the win,” Nowak said. “It’s disappointing and I understand the expansion (team) excitement, but the officials still need to do a better job officiating the game because I can see from the bench (that in) the last 20 minutes they couldn’t break us down.”The Union had a late chance to equalize,Acai Berry Diets, with Sebastien Le Toux finding the ball at his feet within six yards in the 87th minute. Le Toux didn’t manage to put much behind the ball, poking it on goal and Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins made the save.Portland, suffering a defensive lapse in the 39th minute, nearly granted the visitors an early advantage. Union forward Danny Mwanga, who played at nearby Oregon State, crossed to Carlos Ruiz. Le Toux attempted to finish a dropoff pass by Ruiz, but Perkins smothered that one, too.
Perkins made three saves to post his second consecutive shutout in MLS play and help the Timbers Famous Team Soccer improve to 4-0 at home this season. Mondragon, the Union’s keeper, permitted a goal for only the third time.The youth club for which Mwanga played, the Westside Metros, purchased 400 tickets to see one of their most famous alums suit up in a professional game. Additionally, members of Mwanga’s family came out for the match.“It was definitely great, especially playing at home in front of my family and friends was a good feeling,” Mwanga said. “Unfortunately we didn’t come out with a good result.”
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