(7) Portland Timbers (9,8,12, 39 points) vs (11) Atlanta United (8,11,9, 33 points)
Sunday September 4, 2022 KO 2:30 PM PST/ 5:30 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers Briefly
What a big win on the road against Western Conference elite Austin FC on this past Wednesday night, after the game delay for weather reasons, suddenly the moves made by Gio are paying off for the better.
However, the remainder of the schedule its not an easy endeavor for the Portland Timbers with Atlanta, Minnesota, Columbus, and closing against LAFC, it doesn’t look easy but, in the end, not too difficult.
Somehow, the moves made in the lineup by manager Savarese are paying off for the better after his bold substitutions in the lineup, especially the backfield with Larrys Mabiala and Josecarlos Van Rankin not being on the lineup.
Being replaced by Bill Tuiloma and Zac McGraw, the Timbers are seeing some much-needed results after McGraw scored the winning goal against Austin and Tuiloma opened the scoring to humble the Verde and Black.
As the season is coming to an end and so far, the Timbers are in the last spot in seventh place and with a one-point lead over the LA Galaxy. On the weekend, the Angelinos are to play against Sporting Kansas City.
If the Portland side needs to win, you bet, as every match in the remainder of this 2022 season is imperative for the Rose City Boys if they are to earn a spot for the postseason.
Consistency, poise, creativity, and overall confidence will be things that the Portland Timbers starting eleven needs to apply in every single game and looking at any cost to deliver much needed wins.
With every game and point in play, this team has to become ambitious and play like there’s no tomorrow as well play any of the reminder of the season like a final.
Probable Lineup:
GK Aljaz Ivacic, Bill Tuiloma, Dario Zuparic, Zac McGraw, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco; Dairon Aspirilla
Atlanta United Briefly
A challenging season indeed for manager Gonzalo Pineda, with some of his notable players sidelined with season ending injuries and the team hasn’t been able to display the game they are comfortable with.
Fighting below the postseason spots and within three points of maybe going above. As last week’s loss against a hot and streaking Philadelphia Union displayed, the Five Stripes defense was too exposed.
Still, for them is now or never to close on the positive that somehow can give the former league champions at least a spot in the playoffs and for its manager seeing their season salvaged.
As the challenge continues for the Atlanta side, this Sunday they are to play on the road where they have not been on the positive and playing against a team playing with a lot of momentum at Providence Park.
Every game with a win will be one of the foremost of wishes for its manager and looking to be within the postseason spots, but with a schedule that includes Toronto, Philadelphia, Orlando, New England, and NYCFC; the outlook doesn’t seem promising after these recent loss on the road against the Union but anything can change in the end as Toronto and New England are looking for a spot in the postseason.
Contrary to Philadelphia already clinched, Orlando and NYCFC looking to clinch next weekend at the earliest, these matches will be key for Atlanta United to see if they can seize a spot in the playoffs.
Probable Lineup:
GK Rocco Rios, Juan Jose Sanchez, Alan Franco, Andrew Gutman; Brooks Lennon, Franco Ibarra, Santiago Sosa, Caleb Wiley; Luis Araujo, Thiago Almada; Ronaldo Cisneros
Meetings
08/18/2019 Portland Timbers 0-2 Atlanta United
12/08/2018 Atlanta United 2-0 Portland Timbers
06/24/2018 Atlanta United 1-1 Portland Timbers
Forecast
This can be anyone’s game, both teams desperately are looking for a playoff spot
Portland Timbers
Atlanta United FC
