Portland Timbers vs. Atlanta United, how to watch, what to look for

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 3, 2022

By Paul Danzer

Dairon Asprilla, pictured in a match against Colorado, has been active playing as a central forward in recent games for the Portland Timbers, who host Atlanta United at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4.

With five games left in the season, the Timbers (at 9-8-12) hold the final playoff spot. Two inspiring wins in a row have bolstered Portland’s playoff chances, but the margin of error remains slim entering a nationally televised match against an equally desperate Atlanta United side.

HOW TO WATCH

When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4

Where: Providence Park.

TV: FOX 12

Radio: 750 AM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The Timbers are trying to make a late-season push into the playoffs and need to tack on a third consecutive win to stay above the playoff line, for now. The three-centerback formation that coach Giovanni Savarese and his staff employed in recent wins over Seattle and Austin FC has allowed Portland to get more in-form players on the field. Specifically, Bill Tuiloma and Zac McGraw have put in strong performances at the back while offering offensive threats as each scored in the win at Austin. Santiago Moreno’s work on the right flank has been vital to the system, too, as has the activity of Dairon Aspirlla up top. With a third match in 10 days, it will be interesting to see how the lineup is rotated. Eryk Williamson will miss the match on yellow-card suspension. Cristhian Paredes, back from injury, could start alongside Diego Chara in midfield. Or, perhaps David Ayala gets the start. … Atlanta United (8-11-9, 33 points) sits 11th in the Eastern Conference, three points below the playoff line. Atlanta lost 4-1 at East leader Philadelphia on Aug. 31, then flew to Portland. Atlanta fullback Andrew Gutman has three goals in his last six matches. Josef Martinez and Ronaldo Cisneros each have seven goals to pace Atlanta. Young playmaker Thiago Almeda has 10 assists and four goals. … This will be the fifth all-time match against Atlanta United and Portland is looking for its first win (two draws, two losses, including MLS Cup final in 2018). The teams have not met since August 2019. Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese will not be on the sideline as he serves a one-game suspension after seeing his third yellow card of the season in the Aug. 31 win at Austin FC.

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