For the first time since 2023, Atlanta United will square off against the Portland Timbers. It’s Atlanta’s first trip to Providence Park since 2022, the infamous chicken-and-rice game that basically served as the beginning of the end of Josef Martinez’s time with the Five Stripes. Overall, it’s the seventh overall meeting between the two sides in a series that famously includes Atlanta’s 2-0 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in MLS Cup 2018.
Get ready for Atlanta United at Portland Timbers
Scarves and Spikes Prematch Show | Saturday, 9:30 p.m. ET
Instant reaction to Atlanta United’s starting XI, plus a final outlook before kickoff. Click here →
Atlanta United at Portland Timbers Match Thread and How to Watch
How to tune in to Atlanta at Portland, along with our match thread. Comment on the action with Atlanta United fans from all over. Click here →
Three Questions about the Timbers with Adam Susman
Timbers radio broadcaster Adam Susman gives us a closer look at the Timbers. Click here →
Patreon Exclusive: Across the Pitch with Adam Susman
A 20-plus-minute mini-podcast for our Patreon backers going a little more in depth on the match. Click here →
The scoop on the Timbers
9-11-5, 32 points, 8th in West
Last result: L 2-1 at FC Dallas (September 12)
The Timbers, led by Martí Cifuentes, have found themselves in the midst of an absolutely airtight playoff race. They’re three points behind the seventh-place Colorado Rapids right now and two points in front of ninth-place San Diego FC and 10th-place LA Galaxy. Three teams — Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United, and Austin FC — are three points back on 29 points, while the Seattle Sounders are four points back on 28. That’s four points separating seven teams in the standings, with anywhere from nine to 11 matches remaining.
Vincent Janssen, signed on July 29, was brought in with the hopes that he’ll continue the form that saw him post double-digit goal totals in all four of his seasons with Belgian first-division side Antwerp. He gave Timbers fans a glimpse of that on Sept. 5, scoring the club’s first MLS-era hat trick during a 5-4 win over Minnesota United. Janssen will provide a nice 1-2 attacking punch with Kristoffer Velde (8g/9a), who could hit double digits in goals and assists by season’s end. (Meanwhile, Kevin Kelsy, who was on 9g/4a, was sold to Rangers on Sept. 3 for a club-record $13M. It’s tough to turn that offer down.)
If there’s one area Atlanta United can exploit, it’s the Portland defense (see: the 5-4 game against Minnesota a few weeks ago). The Timbers have allowed the fifth-most goals in MLS, with 47. That’s overshadowed the fact that they have scored that many goals, putting them sixth in the league in that department.
We can’t forget the legendary Diego Chara, still ticking at 40 years old and the only remaining member of the Timbers roster from that aforementioned MLS Cup in 2018. We also can’t forget Ronald Hernández, who’s still getting his feet under him after his trade from Atlanta.
Atlanta United at Portland Timbers injuries, availability
For the first time in a while, all Atlanta United players are available for selection. That includes Giuliano Galoppo, who likely will come in as a second-half substitute for Atlanta this evening for his MLS debut.
Meanwhile, a handful of players won’t play for the Timbers. Brandon Bye, who came over as a free agent in the offseason after eight seasons with the New England Revolution, tore his ACL against San Diego FC on August 19 and is done for the year. Alexander Aravena hasn’t played since suffering a hip injury on July 25 against Real Salt Lake. Jose Caicedo (thigh) and Zac McGraw (back) are also out, along with Juan Mosquera, who will miss the rest of this season and much of the Sprint Season after foot and ankle surgery in July.
Atlanta United’s projected lineup at Portland Timbers (4-3-3)
GK: Lucas Hoyos
D: Elias Báez, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, Tomás Jacob
M: Jay Fortune, Mauricio Amaro, Cooper Sanchez
F: Breel Embolo, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón
Score prediction: Portland Timbers 2-2 Atlanta United
Portland’s a high-scoring team, but I think Atlanta will be able to put up a couple of goals of its own against a struggling Timbers defense. Embolo and Almirón find the back of the net as Atlanta leaves town with a point.