MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Fall 2-0 to Atlanta United FC at Providence Park

August 19, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers conceded a goal in each half, falling 2-0 to Atlanta United FC in front of 25,218 fans at Providence Park on Sunday night. Continuing its stretch of 10 consecutive home games, Portland will square off against Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC on Friday at Providence Park.

Recent form

The 2-0 loss against Atlanta marked Portland's first home loss since June 1, snapping an eight-game home unbeaten streak in all competitions. It was also the first time since Sept. 29, 2018, that the Timbers (11-10-4, 37pts) did not tally a goal in regular-season play at Providence Park. In MLS play, Portland is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games.

Key plays

Atlanta took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute off a corner kick. Gonzalo MartÃ-nez sent a driven ball to the left post that was directed on frame by Josef MartÃ-nez, forcing a save by Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark, but the ball bounced back into the box for Leandro González Pirez, who converted near the goal line.

Pushing for a goal, Diego Valeri found a pocket of space just outside the box, receiving a quick pass from Jeremy Ebobisse. Valeri unleashed a powerful long-range strike headed for the bottom left corner of the goal that was pushed wide by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 27th minute.

Clark came up with a save in the 31st minute. Josef MartÃ-nez dribbled down the right side of the box and laid a pass off for Julian Gressel near the right post. Gressel fired a shot from close range, but Clark was there to deny the attempt at the right post.

In the 42nd minute, Jorge Villafaña dribbled down the left side of the field to the end line and played a cross to the edge of the six-yard box for Ebobisse, who connected with a header, but Guzan was able to make the save.

Bill Tuiloma made a critical defensive play in the 45th minute. Gonzalo MartÃ-nez dribbled into the box on a breakaway and Tuiloma made a sliding tackle just inside the box. Just one minute later, Ezequiel Barco received a pass on the counter-attack running down the left side of the field. Barco cut back toward the center of the box, releasing a shot from close range, but Clark came off his line to make the block.

Atlanta increased its lead to 2-0 in the 46th minute. Gressel played a well-weighted pass from near midfield into space for Josef MartÃ-nez, who deposited a curling strike from just inside the box into the top right corner of the goal.

Searching for a goal, Sebastián Blanco delivered a powerful strike from distance in the 58th minute, forcing Guzan to tip his shot over the crossbar.

Off a quick corner kick, Diego Chara played a short ball to Valeri, who served a cross to the center of the box in the 64th minute. Julio Cascante jumped and sent a strong header toward goal, but Guzan parried the shot away at point-blank range on the goal line.

Deep in second-half stoppage time, Jorge Moreira played a cross from the right corner to the center of the box for Valeri, who hit a half volley from near the penalty spot on target that was blocked.

Notes:

Portland is 6-2-2 in its last 10 matches in MLS play.

Sebastián Blanco made his 100th career appearance for the Timbers across all competitions in the match.

Jeremy Ebobisse played in his 43rd consecutive match in all competitions.

Diego Chara led the match in passes attempted with 70 and completed 94.3 percent of those passes.

The match was the first loss for the Timbers in their last 16 home matches against Eastern Conference opponents.

Next game

Up next, the Timbers play host to Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park on Friday, Aug. 23. Beginning at 7 p.m. (Pacific), the match features a national television broadcast on ESPN with local radio broadcasts on 1029 and 750 The Game (English) and La GranD 1150AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (11-10-4, 37pts) vs. Atlanta United FC (14-9-3, 45pts)

Aug. 18, 2019 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Timbers 0 0 0

Atlanta United FC 1 1 2

Scoring Summary:

ATL: González Pirez, 14

ATL: J. MartÃ-nez (Gressel), 46

Misconduct Summary:

ATL: Larentowicz (caution), 24

ATL: Pogba (caution), 33

POR: Moreira (caution), 42

POR: Barco (caution), 45+1

Lineups:

POR: GK Clark, D Moreira, D Cascante, D Tuiloma, D Villafaña (Conechny, 85), M Zambrano (LorÃ-a, 74), M Chara, M Ebobisse, M Valeri ©, M Blanco (Asprilla, 88), F Fernandez

Substitutes Not Used: GK McIntosh, D Dielna, D Valentin, M Paredes

TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Three players tied, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Valeri, 2); FOULS: 18 (Chara, 5); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3

ATL: GK Guzan, D Gressel, D Robinson, D González Pirez, D Pogba, M Larentowicz ©, M G. MartÃ-nez (Villalba, 88), M Nagbe, M Barco (Hyndman, 72), M Meram (Pereira, 84), F J. MartÃ-nez

Substitutes Not Used: GK Kann, D Ambrose, D Parkhurst, M Adams

TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (G. MartÃ-nez, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (J. MartÃ-nez, 2); FOULS: 8 (Meram, 4); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 5

Referee: Armando Villarreal

Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Eduardo Mariscal

4th Official: Elijio Arreguin

VAR: Alex Chilowicz

Attendance: 25,218

Weather: Sunny, 73 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from August 19, 2019


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