Atlanta United host the Portland Timbers for ultimate prize
It’s always a little more difficult to watch the MLS Cup playoffs when your team isn’t in the fall tournament, but credit must be given where it is due: there has been some fun soccer to watch. Unfortunately, it all comes to an end this Saturday, and early pundits already have Atlanta lifting its first MLS Cup. To that, we say, not so fast.
There’s nothing more dangerous than a team with nothing to lose, and Giovanni Savarese’s men have made it a point to wear their underdog status proudly, showing the exit to FC Dallas in the knockout round, before eliminating the Seattle Sounders FC and Sporting Kansas City, all higher ranked, to become the first fifth seed in the Western Conference to reach an MLS Cup final. This should make for an epic battle.
Atlanta United
It’s hard to bet against the Five Stripes at the moment, as everything seems to be going to plan for head coach Tata Martino and his troops. The team known for its attacking flair has been impressive on the back end as of late, allowing just one goal to the offensively gifted New York Red Bulls over two legs in the Eastern Conference final.
You’d have to think Atlanta will want to stick to its guns in this one; apply pressure high on the Timbers and force them to lose possession, and then attack, attack, attack. A simple yet effective recipe when considering their line-up. And with Mercedes-Benz Stadium chasing another attendance record in MLS, it should be an electrifying atmosphere for the home team.
This could be a much different looking group when 2019 comes around. Tata’s already on his way out and swirls of rumours surround Miguel Almiron and a transfer to England; it leaves a gaping question mark as to where this club will be next year. All this considered, this will be their last chance to win it with the core of the inaugural group that joined MLS last season.
Portland Timbers
Ah, the underdogs. There’s always going to be a favourite according to Las Vegas bookies, but this time around, it seems more pronounced. Yes, Atlanta United was a whisker away from winning the Supporters’ Shield, it has the league’s record-breaking scorer, Josef Martinez, firing on all cylinders, and their midfield ranks among the league’s best. But Portland has one tool in its chest that Tata Martino shouldn’t underestimate: its ability to adapt.
The Timbers have come this far by adapting their style of play and formation to that of its opponents, made possible by having a very deep squad. That, and the stern direction of first-year head coach Giovanni Savarese, who rigorously familiarizes his group with the game plan before every contest.
“We've done it in a variety of different ways this year,” said Timbers defender Zarek Valentin. “We've played multiple different systems. We've done multiple different things. Sometimes it's worked. Sometimes it hasn't worked. But I think that everyone's gotten their chance at one point or another and we put ourselves in a position to win a final to get a trophy.”
If it works out this Saturday, Atlanta can be in some unexpected trouble at the hands of Valeri and co. It doesn’t help that their one confrontation during the regular season ended in a 1-1 draw. So, who’s your pick?
