The MLS season is back and the Union take on the Portland Timbers in their first match of the season tonight at 9:30 on ESPN2. A lot has happened to the Union's roster since their departure from the postseason last year. Sebastian LeToux is on Vancouver, Justin Mapp is in Montreal, Paunovic is no longer playing, and the young Zac MacMath is the new starting Keeper. In replace of some of these players are Panamanian midfielder Gabriel Gomez, Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez, and defenseman Porfirio Lopez. These players bring in a lot of speed and talent that will help the Union's offense pick up where it left off. But they are going to have a tough task tonight in Portland.
Tonights forcast for portland is in the low 40's to high 30's with constant showers, making the turf and the ball slippery. Portland had a strong home record last year, 9-5-3, which helped them make a postseason push. The last time the Union played at Jeld Wen Field they lost 1-0, and when the Timbers came to PPL Park the game finished in a draw. Portland has also made offseason aquisitions by picking up Scottish forward Kris Boyd. Kris played with the Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and scored over 100 goals from 2006-2010. The Timbers also have a strong fan base who will give the Union no help in tonights match. Danny Mawanga even said that Portland is his least favorite stadium to play in, in an interview on Comcast Sportsnet.
The Key for tonights match, and for the season, is to step up. Peter Nowak has made a lot of changes in the offseason, and let fan favorites leave, the best way to make the Philadelphia fans forget about the departures is to score and win, and become the new fan favorites.
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