On Sunday, Atlanta United face off against the Portland Timbers for the very first meeting between the two clubs. Atlanta (3-4-2) and Portland (5-3-2) are both looking to rebound after tough defeats on the road in week 10 of MLS. The Timbers will have the home field advantage for this one, but both teams possess the two highest goal tallies in the league this season (POR, 20; ATL, 19) so it’s sure to be a thrilling contest. You can catch all the action on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPN or via WATCHESPN.
Ahead of this weekend’s matchup at Providence Park, we broke down the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot.
1) Cover & Recover
Last week in the 3-1 defeat at New York City FC, Atlanta were caught forward on one too many occasions as they pushed numbers forward from both the defense and midfield. This week, they will not only need to make sure to cover each other as they send various numbers forward, but it will be imperative to recover quickly because the likes of Darlington Nagbe, Fanendo Adi, Sebastián Blanco and company will be no more forgiving on the counter than NYCFC’s front line.
2) Pull the Trigger
Though tied for second in the league in goals scored this season, Atlanta United could very easily be number one. Tata Martino’s side has at times been scrutinized for not taking chances, not shooting enough or trying to make that extra pass in the final third. But last week, Carlos Carmona proved that ambitious efforts can pay off as he scored a wicked half volley from the top of the 18-yard-box. When Atlanta create their opportunities they will need to take full advantage and not be afraid to pull the trigger even if it may be from long range, a tough angle, etc. Many times that’s when the magic happens.
3) Be Wary of Valeri
An essential piece of Portland’s identity, key to their 2015 MLS Cup Championship and crucial in their successful start to this season has been their Argentine hero Diego Valeri. The creative midfielder has notched five goals and three assists already this year, just small portion of his 43 goals and 50 assists since arriving in Cascadia in 2013. He’s not only a goal scorer. Valeri has the vision, the poise on the ball, the passing ability and a defensive awareness which makes him a world-class player in the center of the pitch. The 31-year-old is truly a defense’s worst nightmare, and it will be important for Atlanta to contain him especially in front of the Timbers Army that worships the Argentine playmaker.
