A pair of penalty kicks paved the way for the Portland Timbers late Saturday night at Providence Park as they eventually cruised past a rotated Philadelphia Union side, 3-0.
Diego Valeri’s penalty gave the hosts a lead 13 minutes into the second half, and Dairon Asprilla doubled the lead from the spot with six minutes to go in regulation. David Guzman added a third after sneaking a header past Andre Blake on a set piece in the 87th minute.
With an eye on Wednesday’s U.S. Open semifinal tilt against the Chicago Fire, head coach Jim Curtin used just six of his regular starters in the lineup.