PORTLAND, OR - It was a warm, sunny day in Portland, and by the time the Timbers kicked off at Providence park, the sun had gone down and it was perfect for a match. Portland Timbers started the game in 8th place in the Western Conference and over a 48% win probability. Despite not having won in weeks, since the 5-4 shootout with Minnesota, the Timbers are having a better season than Atlanta and were favored to pick up the win at home.

The “Five Stripes” haven’t won since August 23rd and despite spending big on five new player over the summer, including DPs Breel Embolo and Alexi Miranchuk, only SKC have scored fewer goals this season. Last week, Tata Martino’s men went away to DC United and got a shutout, which was encouraging, but were equally unable to score a goal - that would be their focus this game.

Both sides lined up in a 4-3-3 and while Atlanta started the 6’ 185lb DP striker, Breel Embolo up top, Portland were experimenting with winger Antony filling the role as forward. It didn’t work, but Marti Cifuentes has few options with the club having sold Kevin Kelsey to some team in Scotland and replacement veteran forward, Vincent Janssen, recovering from a knock.

Early on, Breel and Miranchuk looked tidy for Atlanta, Miguel Almiron, their third DP looked tired - being outrun for loose balls. It was the Timbers who looked likely to strike first, when Lassiter scuffed a good opportunity in the 19th - this would turn out to be a recurring theme for the home side. In the 21st, Da Costa put in another great ball, but this time it was Cole Bassett who mishit the opportunity. In the 24th, Chara earned a yellow card, breaking his own record for all time most in Major League Soccer.

In the 28th, Miguel Almiron made up for earlier lethargy, he carried the ball deep into the attacking third, nearly to the end line, and from just outside the box, hit a left-footed in-swinging cross which Miranchuk collected. Alexi cut in, moving the ball from his right foot to his left, and scooped a shot into the nets dimple, past Pantemis, to give Atlanta the lead.

The Timbers would have their opportunities to equalize, with 17 shots, but just 3 were on Target. They had a little more of the ball, about 55% percent possession, but not enough to say the dominated. It just seemed like one of those night were great chances like Lassiter’s free kick in the 67th, just goes sailing overhead. Or a solid shout for a penalty when Diaz shoves a Timber to the ground in the 78’ but its not even checked.

Atlanta worked hard, got the road points, and find themselves second-bottom, 7 points out a playoff spot, with just 8 games left to make something out of this season. The Timbers scuffed a great opportunity to put some distance between themselves and San Diego, but did not drop out of the playoff spots altogether. They also only have 8 fixtures remaining, four of which are at home, and go away to a resurgent San Jose team, who have not lost since August 22nd and are fighting for a better pole positions as we get nearer to the playoffs.

Photographer Jay Ortiz was on assignment for Protagonist Soccer and provided the photos for this article. Follow him on Instagram, HERE.

written by Joshua Duder
photos by Jay Ortiz