The Portland Timbers became the first team to punch its ticket to the final match of the MLS is Back Tournament, earning a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union Wednesday night.
It was a match of two stories — the one told by the statsheet and the one that played out on the field.
Statistically, the Union seemed to dominate, holding 59% of possession and firing off nine shots to force three saves. But in reality, Portland dominated the pace and style of the first half, ripping up the Union defense on the counterattack.
On the defensive end, Portland forced Philadelphia to play a disjointed style instead of their typically fluid attack.