Atlanta United: Another tough roadie against the Portland Timbers

Atlanta United wraps up their 6 road games in 7 matches with a trip to Portland, another tough place to play.

How do you respond when you’ve been popped in the mouth?

And the question isn’t just for one side of the equation of Atlanta United’s visit to Portland and the Timbers, it’s for both. The Timbers had a clunker in San Jose against the Earthquakes- losing 3-0 while the Five Stripes had a clunker at Yankee Stadium… after drawing even at ones, losing 3-1 last week to NYCFC.

Is it time for a speech like this? Thanks to MGM/Columbia Pictures/Revolution Studios

Maybe, but it’s not time to panic. Let’s look back at what Rocky had to say for a second and apply it to the present situation staring at Atlanta United this weekend.

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.”

Atlanta United will be without Greg Garza- the human grass stain- that has come up aces on defense and on overlapping runs this season on offense when paired with Yamil Asad and anyone coming down Red Route 1. These two have put centering passes into the box for any combination of players (Jones, Almiron, Martinez, Villalba, etc.) to create scoring chances from 10 yards in.

“You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

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That’s what head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino is looking to do with some combination of Mark Bloom and Mikey Ambrose as the Fourth Musketeer alongside Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez, and Tyrone Mears. The jigsaw puzzle pieces will have to be put together in a different manner than Martino would like for, what seems to be, the 589,624,590,867th week in a row.

And Portland has scored the second-most goals in the first 15 minutes (5) AND the last 15 minutes of matches this season (also 5).

“Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth.”

Look for the rest of the Starting XI to be something along the lines of Julian Gressel, Jeff Larentowicz, and Carlos Carmona in the middle with Almiron, Villalba, and Kenwyne Jones up top in varying angles and degrees.

The largest question for Atlanta United will come from availabilities: Fanendo Adi (hip flexor), who Portland head coach Caleb Porter lists as “likely” to play, and Darlington Nagbe is “questionable” with his hamstring injury. Both sat out the loss to San Jose. Adi is more than a handful for any backline and will test the visitors. If Nagbe is out, Atlanta United might be able to take advantage of the midfield for their runs in transition.

Atlanta United has been tougher on the road than at home- and have picked up more points away from Bobby Dodd Stadium (7 to 3 so far). But Atlanta United has won only once in their last six matches overall.

Piece of trivia for you

Of the handful of players that have faced Portland in the past, three guesses as to which United player has the most goals scored against them.?

Jeff Larentowicz- 2 in 9 matches.

Game on, y’all.

Next: MLS Multiplex's Matchday 11 Predictions

Match Information

Sunday, May 14 | Providence Park, Portland, OR. | 4 p.m. (EST)

Atlanta United (3-4-2, 11 points) vs. Portland Timbers (5-3-2, 17 points)

TV: ESPN 

Talent: Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play), Alejandro Moreno (analyst).

English Radio: 92.9 The Game

Talent: Adam Schick (play-by-play) and Jason Longshore (commentator).

Spanish Radio: La Mejor 1600 AM

Talent: Armando Carillo (play-by-play) and Daniel Cantu (commentator).

Seattle Match Information 

English Radio: 750 The Game (KXTG 750 AM, 102.9 FM)

Talent: Fletcher Johnson (host), Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith(analyst)

Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)

Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Ozkar Ramos (analyst)