(7) Portland Timbers (11, 9, 4, 37 points) vs (2) Atlanta United (13, 9, 3, 42 points)
Sunday August 18, 2019 7:00 PM PST/ 10:00 PM EST
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Portland Timbers at a glance
The Portland Timbers are playing like true contenders with a mission to excel.
So far, this is a team has won in its two last meetings and with their home field advantage in the remaining of the season.
In the end this advantage for sure can uplift them to finish among the top four.
Lately, the way the Rose City side is displaying in its game a strong dynamic in its attack, that many of the Timbers foes are seeing it as lethal and taking them seriously.
In addition, of seeing the defensive game reaching into new heights and with a number of rotations implemented by manager Giovanni Savarese, his strategies working for the better.
However, the way these Timbers are playing one amazing game of football and setting the tone in every match lately, one thing this team needs to improve in not becoming to complacent.
As you recall in their midweek game against Chicago, the dominance of the Timbers was visible in the early minutes, and later their foes displaying poor football, these rally and almost played the role of spoilers.
Still one thing this team has is a lot of heart and a fighting spirit to succeed in what seems to be another contested season in the confines in all MLS and these Timbers are for real.
GK Steve Clark, Jorge Moreira, Bill Tuiloma, Julio Cascante, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes; Jeremy Ebobisse, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco; Brian Fernandez
Atlanta United at a glance
Atlanta United earned its second major trophy in the course of the week by defeating Mexico’s elite side Club America, marking a long dominance of LIGA MX teams over MLS sides.
As for manager Frank De Boer,after a slow start with the Five Stripes in the season.
Suddenly the Dutchman is seeing a turnaround for the better as his team is rapidly adapting to his game scheme and strategies and showing up amazing results.
For Atlanta United suddenly moving up the table and being within striking distance of first place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference, that tells you a lot of the Southern Boys comeback.
The defending champions are looking forward to a successful run in the remaining of this season and maybe see a repeat in the postseason, for a run in the league finals.
So far, this team has depth in both its starting eleven and its bench, which for the Timbers will be a handful for its defensive backfield by the dynamism used in its attack.
Atlanta United, somehow is considered as the overall favorite to win it all.
GK Brad Guzan, Franco Escobar, Miles Robinson, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez; Juian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi, Justin Meram; Gonzalez Martinez, Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco
Meetings
December 8, 2018 Atlanta United 2-0 Portland Timbers
June 28, 2018 Atlanta United 1-1 Portland Timbers
May 14, 2017 Portland Timbers 1-1 Atlanta United
Prediction
This match for sure will see a clash of titans and a draw for sure can decide this affair, come this Sunday night
