Philadelphia Union defeated Portland Timbers 3-0 at Subaru Park thanks to goals from Kacper Przybylko, Sergio Santos and Jack Elliott. Here are my player ratings from the win.
Andre Blake: 7.5
A clean sheet for Blake, who made some crucial saves throughout the game. He made a good early save from a free kick and brilliantly preserved his clean sheet at the end. He denied Jeremy Ebobisse twice, with the first showing his great reflexes to spread himself and save the shot from close range. The second was a one-on-one, which he got out quickly too and did well to close down Ebobisse's effort.
Olivier Mbaizo: 7
Mbaizo got an early yellow card, but it did not impact his defensive performance. He did well to remain disciplined and was careful, and he did well to step in with Jack Elliott to deny Portland a clear goal scoring chance.
Jakob Glesnes: 7
A solid night for Glesnes, who was not tested until the game was out of reach. Even then, he remained calm at the back, snuffing out any Timbers attacks. A personal highlight was his cool header back to Blake when he had a striker trying to latch onto the loose ball.
Jack Elliott: 8
The scorer of the third goal, Elliott had a solid night at the back and inside the Portland penalty area. His goal was a matter of right place right time as he was on hand to tap in Cory Burke's cut back across goal. Elliott was strong defensively too. He was solid at the back, not allowing many chances on goal, and an important block with Mbaizo stopped what could have been a goal.
Kai Wagner: 9
Wagner was at the heart of the action all night as his set-pieces gave Portland nightmares. His free-kick for the first goal was a dangerous one, which forced Logan Ketterer into no man's land, and Kacper Przybylko was on hand to beat the keeper to the ball and head into the back of the net. The Union's second goal also came from his corner, as his curling cross met the head of Przybylko, whose header created the second goal. It was the Wagner-Przybylko partnership that almost forced a third, but Leon Flach's goal was ruled out for handball. His set-pieces caused issues all evening, and he was solid defensively, letting nothing get beyond him. My man of the match for the game.
Alejandro Bedoya: 7
Bedoya did not stop working all game and ran himself into the ground. His box-to-box work rate helped the Union defensively and in the attack. His silly foul at the start of the game could have been costly, but he recovered from that and put in a real captain's performance.
Jose Martinez: 7.5
A solid night for Martinez, who you did not hear much about, and that is how you know he did his job. Martinez was comfortable sitting in front of the backline and did not let too much get past him. He also did not commit a foul or receive a booking, so that was another success. Poor distribution into the final third during the first half cost him an eight.
Leon Flach: 7
Flach was unlucky to not get his first Union goal as his bundled in effort was ruled out for handball by VAR. His fantastic slide tackle in the first half stopped a Portland attack as he regained possession for the Union, which was a highlight. Flach worked hard running all over the pitch all night and offered an option going forward. Did really well to win possession just inside the Union half early in the second half. He drove towards the Timbers penalty area and won a corner with his cross.
Jamiro Monteiro: 7
A quieter night for Monteiro, who was not as involved with the attacks as he would have liked to be. He did well in the opposition third to win fouls though, and his work rate was great as always.
Kacper Przybylko: 9
Przybylko had another great night showing why he is the main talisman for the Union. His header in the 26th minute got Jim Curtin's side on their way to a crucial three points. It was also his header towards goal that allowed Sergio Santos to score from close range shortly after. He almost got another assist as he headed the ball down to Flach, but his goal was ruled out for a handball. Przybylko caused problems all night and did a great job leading the line.
Sergio Santos: 7.5
A real poacher's finish for the second goal as he managed to get a foot on the ball just in front of the goalkeeper to push the ball up into the roof of the net. Santos ran hard for an hour until a foot injury forced him off. Could have been more involved in the attacks.
Cory Burke: 7
Burke came on and instantly made an impact assisting Elliott's goal. His header forced a save from Ketterer, and he quickly latched onto the rebound to drag the ball across the goal for Elliott to tap home. Burke should have scored himself but waited too long, and Ketterer was able to save it.
Paxten Aaronson: N/A
Great to see Aaronson make his MLS debut, but came on too late into the game to make an impression.