Three Ways the Portland Timbers can beat Atlanta United

With a tough matchup coming up, here's how the Timbers can take down their Eastern Conference opponents.

Danny Wesson

March 15

We are now three weeks into the Portland Timbers season, and some fans have already found their way into panic mode. After a scrappy 1-0 win over a Kansas City team who has failed to score this season, Portland is coming off back to back losses. A flat start in Los Angeles led to a 3-2 loss to LAFC and the second half collapse that followed the next week in the 2-1 loss to St. Louis City FC has kept the Timbers at three points for the season. Now, the Timbers must make the ever-so-tough trip to Georgia to take on Atlanta United. If the Timbers want to earn three points and make a climb in the Western Conference standings, Gio Savarese and company are going to have to make their fair share of adjustments. Here are three ways the Timbers can improve and give themselves a shot to take down Atlanta United.

1. Improve Set Piece Defense

This one may seem simple, but it is something Timbers fans have been asking for for a long time. Getting burned on set pieces stung Portland frequently in the 2022 season and has unfortunately made its comeback in 2023. While every team is destined to concede a set piece goal from time to time, the amount of times the Timbers have looked foolish while defending one is simply infuriating. Portland has already been taken advantage of by LAFC and St. Louis on set pieces this year, so it should be a main point of practice this week. With a dangerous free kick taker such as Thiago Almada, Timbers defenders Zac McGraw and Dario Zuparic need to take charge of the defense and be highly alert on all free kicks in order for the Timbers to have a chance at victory this Saturday.

2. Stick with Nathan Fogaca up front

In the opening weeks of the season the Portland attack has been very lackluster. New signing Franck Boli cannot be integrated with the squad soon enough. With that being said, it will likely take Boli at least a few weeks before he is comfortable in the Timbers system and ready to start a match. While we wait for Boli, the best man to start at the striker position is Nathan Fogaca. Portland started the first two matches of the season with Jaroslaw Niezgoda up top, and with him in the attack has looked simply uninspiring. The offense failed to generate a respectable amount of chances and Niezgoda looked slow even compared to the 38 year old Giorgio Chiellini. With Nathan playing, however, it has been quite the different story. The offense seems to flow well with Nathan up front and more chances are being created. Nathan also looks more comfortable in open space with the ball than Niezgoda. Giovanni Savarese made the switch to Nathan starting for the St. Louis game and he should stick with him for Atlanta United.

3. Limit Thiago Almada

While Portland has started slow out of the gate, Atlanta has done just the opposite. That Fact is largely due to Thiago Almada. The attacking midfielder already has two goals and two assists early on in the season. He is a total free kick threat, scoring two banger goals against San Jose in matchweek 1. The world cup winner with Argentina can be considered an early candidate for MLS MVP. Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson and the Timbers’ back line will need their targets set on Almada as he is always a threat to create scoring chances. If Portland can silence Almada, their chances of a clean sheet become somewhat obtainable.

Atlanta will provide the Timbers with a mighty challenge. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in MLS and United has started with a solid pair of wins, a draw, and no losses. While the odds may not be in Portland’s favor, they still have a fighting chance to win the match. The Timbers must start hot, with Nathan leading the offense and creating scoring chances early on. PTFC must defend Thiago Almada and his dangerous free kicks, in order to make a change from the last two weeks. Saturday night will be sure to include action and drama that will make for some great TV. That much is guaranteed!