The Portland Timbers came up short in a U.S. Open Cup match on their newly renovated home turf earlier this week, but they've been outstanding at Jeld-Wen Field in MLS play.
The Timbers try to make it four league wins in as many tries at home with Friday night's visit from the stingy Philadelphia Union.
Portland (3-3-1) lost 1-0 in overtime to San Jose in a second-round play-in game of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, the first defeat it has suffered in the former minor league baseball stadium it now calls home.
While the Earthquakes had eight days until their next MLS game, coach John Spencer had the Timbers looking ahead to Friday's visit from Philadelphia (4-1-1), playing mostly reserves.
"It's Major League Soccer, there are points on the table to be had and I think that's the reason why we had so many (regulars) not starting," Spencer said. "We put a team out there that we felt could win the game."
Goalkeeper Troy Perkins was the only player who returned to start Tuesday after being in Spencer's starting 11 on Saturday, when the Timbers continued to impress on their home turf with their regulars. Kenny Cooper scored off a cross from Kalif Alhassan in the 22nd minute as Portland snapped Real Salt Lake's 18-match regular-season unbeaten streak with a 1-0 victory.
"We wanted that clean sheet," Perkins said after the Timbers recorded their first shutout. "We came out organized and we believed we were going to fight until the end."
The Union, on the other hand, have made a habit of finishing with clean sheets. They've allowed two goals in six league matches, with Saturday's 1-0 win over San Jose their fourth lone-goal victory.
This one may have been the most difficult. Sebastien Le Toux, who scored 14 goals last season, got his first on a penalty kick in the 76th minute after teammate Jordan Harvey had been sent off just before halftime.
"Of course, it's always good when you're able to win down to 10 men in a match," Le Toux told the Union's official website. "This year, we're taking advantage of our opportunities. ... Down a man, it felt great to get this win and the three points."
Le Toux got the opportunity for the penalty thanks to 20-year-old midfielder Amobi Okugo, who drew a handball in the penalty box while continuing to fill in as Brian Carroll deals with a mild hamstring strain.
Carroll may return as soon as Friday, but coach Peter Nowak may have to find a spot for Okugo, who has played all but six minutes in Philadelphia's past three games since returning from the CONCACAF U-20 championships.
"I feel like I've been playing fairly well," Okugo told the league's official website. "But the most important thing is results. I'm just looking forward to Portland."
Cooper, Jorge Perlaza and Rodney Wallace each have scored twice in the Timbers' three league home matches.
