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Atlanta United vs Portland Timbers: 5 key players to watch

By Josh Bouland

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Julian Gressel #24 of Atlanta United FC celebrates the win of the Eastern Conference Finals Leg 2 match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on November 29, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Julian Gressel #24 of Atlanta United FC celebrates the win of the Eastern Conference Finals Leg 2 match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on November 29, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA NOVEMBER 25: Atlanta’s Leandro González Pirez (5) waves to fans following the conclusion of the MLS Eastern Conference final match between Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls on November 25th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA NOVEMBER 25: Atlanta’s Leandro González Pirez (5) waves to fans following the conclusion of the MLS Eastern Conference final match between Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls on November 25th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez

The stars will be out on Saturday night. So will some of the more under-appreciated players. Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez falls into the latter category. Although he is recognized around the league for his strong defensive play, he is still an overlooked player.

Except for Parkhurst, Gonzalez-Pirez is the team’s most important player on defense. This year’s playoffs have proven that. So far in the playoffs, Gonzalez-Pirez has registered 11 tackles, 13 interceptions, and an astonishing 29 clearances with 15 of those clearances coming in the last match against Red Bulls.

Gonzalez-Pirez will need another strong performance against Portland. Because of Portland’s dangerous counterattack, Atlanta will need its defenders to be ready at any moment to shut down and stop those counters. Gonzalez-Pirez will be at the center of everything, helping Parkhurst organize the rest of the defense and making the strong individual plays he’s made all playoffs.

Hopefully, LGP will have some amazing stops and help the defense keep up its solid play, especially against Portland’s talented players.

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