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MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Battle Atlanta United FC to 1-1 Draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

June 24, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


ATLANTA - The Portland Timbers battled Eastern Conference side Atlanta United FC to a 1-1 draw before 45,116 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Defender Larrys Mabiala scored in the first half for Portland, notching his second goal of the season, as the Timbers extended their unbeaten run to 11 games across all competitions, dating back to April 14.

Recent form

With the 1-1 draw, the Timbers (6-3-5, 23pts) are unbeaten in 11 straight matches across all competitions, recording eight wins and three draws during that stretch. Additionally, the 11-game unbeaten streak marks just the fifth time in club history the Timbers have gone 11 straight games without a loss. During that 11-game stretch this season, nine of those matches have occurred during regular-season action. Portland's nine-game unbeaten run in MLS play is currently the longest active streak in the league and ranks tied for the longest in 2018 with Columbus Crew SC.

Between the pipes

Since making his first start in 2018 on April 22, goalkeeper Jeff Attinella has played 10 straight games without a loss, extending his career record as a starter with the Timbers to 12-4-5. In Sunday's match against Atlanta United (10-3-4, 34pts), Attinella made nine saves in the 1-1 draw, which matches a career high for the goalkeeper in MLS play.

Key plays

Portland created its first chance of the game in the 10th minute when defender Alvas Powell got free down the right side of the box and pulled the ball back to midfielder Diego Valeri, who curled an effort than went just high of the target.

Moments later, the Timbers created one of their strongest chances of the half through Powell again in the 21st minute when the defender pulled the ball back to midfielder Sebastián Blanco on the edge of the box. Running onto Powell's pass, Blanco curled a powerful effort that rattled off the crossbar.

Portland created another threatening opportunity five minutes later when Mabiala hit a low attempt from a set piece, forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 26th minute.

Continuing to push forward, the Timbers eventually took the lead in the 33rd minute, when Mabiala scored a header from a set piece. Mabiala was able to find the back of the net after forward Samuel Armenteros got on the end of Valeri's cross into the box, forcing a tough save from Guzan. Reacting quickly to the rebound, Mabiala produced a diving header to beat Guzan and gave the Timbers a 1-0 edge in the first half.

Atlanta United managed to level in the second half when midfielder Julian Gressel converted a rebound from close-range in the 56th minute of play.

The Timbers came close to regaining the lead late in the second half when Valeri played a well-placed through ball to release midfielder Andrés Flores down the right wing. Taking notice of Guzan standing high off his line, Flores attempted to chip the goalkeeper from distance, narrowly missing the far corner with 10 minutes remaining in the game.

After creating several close chances in a short span, the Timbers nearly scored again in the 86th minute when Powell's cross to the near post found forward Jeremy Ebobisse, whose final effort went just wide of the far post.

Notes:

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the 104th different stadium the Timbers have played a league match in since in 1975.

Portland's nine-match unbeaten streak in league play is the longest active streak in MLS and is tied for longest this season with Columbus Crew SC.

Portland is unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions, marking just the fifth time in club history across all eras (since 1975) that the Timbers have produced an 11-match unbeaten run.

With the draw, the Timbers remain unbeaten in two league matches (0-0-2) played against Atlanta United FC since the Georgia-based club joined MLS in 2017.

The Timbers had 37 clearances in the match, the most for Portland in a match since April 10, 2016.

Larrys Mabiala scored his second goal of the season. Mabiala is the fifth Timbers player with multiple goals this season and the first Timbers defender to reach that mark in 2018.

Jeff Attinella made nine saves in the match, which ties a career high for the goalkeeper, who produced nine saves with Real Salt Lake on April 25, 2015. Attinella's nine saves are the second-most by a Timbers goalkeeper in an MLS match.

As a starter for the Timbers, Attinella has a record of 12-4-5.

Next game

Next up, the Timbers will travel to face Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Stadium on Saturday, June 30. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the June 30 match will be televised nationally on FOX with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (6-3-5, 23pts) vs. Atlanta United FC (10-3-4, 34pts)

June 24, 2018 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Atlanta United FC 0 1 1

Portland Timbers 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:

POR: Mabiala, 32

ATL: Gressel, 56

Misconduct Summary:

POR: Chara (Caution), 24

ATL: Escobar (Caution), 32

POR: Mabiala (Caution), 44

Lineups:

POR: GK Attinella, D Mabiala, D Olum, D Cascante, M Powell, M Paredes (Flores, 60), M Chara, M Blanco (Tuiloma, 69), M Valentin, F Valeri, F Armenteros (Ebobisse, 82)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Gleeson, D Farfan, D Vytas, M Asprilla

TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Mabiala, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Mabiala, 2); FOULS: 12 (Mabiala, 5); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 9

ATL: GK Guzan, D Escobar, D Pirez, D Parkhurst, D Ambrose (Zizzo, 73), M Nagbe (Villalba, 57), M Barco, M Larentowicz, M Gressel (Kratz, 86), M Almiron, F Martinez

Substitutes Not Used: GK Kann, M Carleton, F Vazquez, F Williams

TOTAL SHOTS: 21 (Gressel, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Villalba, 3); FOULS: 10 (Gressel, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 4

Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero

Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowksi, Brian Poeschel

4th Official: Marcos Deoliveira

VAR: Geoff Gamble

Attendance: 45,116

Weather: Dome

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

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