Portland, OR (SportsNetwork.com) - Gaston Fernandez stole a point for the Portland Timbers on Saturday as his late goal granted the club a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union.
The Union opened the scoring through Jack McInerney in the 64th minute, but Fernandez nodded home a quick corner kick in the third minute of added time to help Portland avoid a home loss at Providence Park.
Portland had nearly opened the scoring in just the fourth minute of the match, but Pa Modou Kah's glancing header came back into play off the post before Philadelphia cleared its lines.
The Union managed to settle into the match as the first half wore on, producing their best scoring chance of the opening period in the 19th minute when Christian Maidana blasted a low shot off the turn only to be denied by Donovan Ricketts. McInerney followed up on the rebound but sent his shot just over the crossbar.
McInerney eventually got on the scoresheet, scoring just after the hour mark to put the visitors in front. Maidana's corner kick was flicked toward goal by Maurice Edu, but McInerney got the final touch to take it past Ricketts and into the back of the net.
The Union thought they had done enough to claim a monumental win, but they switched off at the death and the Timbers took advantage. Portland delivered a quick corner kick while the visitors continue to prepare and an unmarked Fernandez got on the end of a flick to the back post to tuck home the equalizer from close range.