Portland suffers their first home shut out in 2026

Portland - Saturday was “MLS after dark” time as 28th place Atlanta United takes on 17th place Portland Timbers. The Timbers are hanging on to 9th place in the West by a thread, 2 points above San Diego, who plays on Sunday Night Soccer. Atlanta, 14th in the East, has just a mathematical prayer at making the playoffs. Atlanta begins the match with an all-international starting 11. This is probably the best 11 that Tata Martino’s side could field in 2026. Making his debut is 27-year-old Giuliano Galoppo, who is on loan from River Plate.

The first half of the match was exciting soccer. Portland seemed determined to open with a goal but didn’t have the answer to crack open Atlanta’s defense. Atlanta seemed happy to sit back and absorb pressure. They opened the scoring with a counter attack that saw Junior Alonso spring a 40 yard pass to Almiron who crossed it over Embolo’s head but found Miranchuk who did some fancy dribbling to find the ball leaving his left foot and curling into the corner. Impressive goal. More impressive reading of the wayward pass by Alonso and a fantastic pass leading to the goal. If you needed to prove to anyone why Alonso is a needed upgrade on Gregersen, show them that pass.

The second half was the opposite of the first half. Atlanta was not looking to get forward quickly. The few times they did, it was after minutes of possession where they baited the Portland team to come and press them. The build up was great, but the final ball in the box was lackluster. Portland will probably feel hard done by the loss because they were the better team in the attack, but Atlanta showed resilience under pressure.

The commentators were quick to call this the marquee match for Tata Martino’s season, but for me that was the Miami match a few weeks ago.

Atlanta’s next match is Saturday at home versus NYCFC. FIFA’s international break starts tomorrow and lasts 3 weeks. I have not seen who is called up from Atlanta. It would be a shame for Atlanta to finally have their best lineup play only to see them lose lots of players to their international teams, but that’s MLS for you.

Starting Lineups

Atlanta lined up in an attacking 4-3-3 with a backline from left to right of Baez, Alonso, Diaz, and Jacob. Midfielders Muyumba, Amaro, and Galoppo. All designated player attackers were in: Almiron, Embolo, and Miranchuk. Between the sticks was Hoyos. Atlanta’s captain is Almiron.

Portland played in a 4-3-3 as well, so expect a clogged-up midfield. Pantemis in goal. Defenders, former Atlanta vice-captain Ronald Hernandez, Surman, Waterman, and Fory. Midfielders Da Costa, Chara, and Bassett. Attackers Lassiter, Antony, Velde. Their captain is Chara.

Match Notes

1’ - Paulo Diaz is down after an awkward fall from a contested aerial ball. Atlanta playing with 10 men.

4’ - Embolo gets on the end of a great through-ball from Miranchuk. Puts the shot on frame but is saved by Pantemis.

7’ - Lassiter on a breakaway with a great cutback plays it off to Antony with a fantastic opportunity.The ball gets caught under his feet, and Atlanta is lucky nothing comes from the attack.

9’ - Velde from the top corner of the 18 yard box puts it just wide of the goal. Another big chance for Portland.

14 - Miranchuk attempting his trademark shot from the Luiz Araujo memorial corner of the box is blocked by a sprinting Galoppo. If he plays a pass off to the runner, it’s a much better chance at goal. The ball is put off for a goal kick.

16’ - Embolo running on goal is stopped by the outstretched hand of Portland’s keeper.

25’ - Yellow to Chara for taking out Miranchuk in a promising attack.

28’ - ATLANTA GOAL! 1-0, by Miranchuk. Embolo pressing causes a giveaway that Alonso steals. A great linebreaking pass to Almiron crosses it over Embolo’s head but it falls to Miranchuk. Miranchuk with a classy finish that curls into the lower left side net.

33’ Jacob injured, non-contact injury defending a shot by Velde. Edwards enters the match replacing him.

34’ Velde takes a set piece from a dangerous spot that Hoyos safely parries away. Corner kick is safely caught by Hoyos.

45+1’ - Double yellow card to Galoppo for kicking the ball away after the whistle and Waterman shoving him to the ground.

45+2’ - Moments later Edwards gets into it with Velde after Velde's arm drags Edwards out of bounds. Portland is losing control.

No lineup changes at half.

51’ - Edwards and Velde continue their duel with Edwards being talked to by the referee about a 2 handed shove to the back. The Norwegian designated player is determined to get the best of the Atlanta homegrown.

56’ - Extended stretch of possession by Atlanta, expertly built up after drawing in the Portland press. Big switch from Embolo who was playing along the touchline.

58’ – Portland's hat trick hero Vincent Janssen enters the game for Antony. It’s a little strange that it took the Timbers Army 16 years to enjoy a hat trick.

59’ - Janssen's immediate impact with a shot just outside the posts. He was offside.

61’ - Embolo with a layup header if such a thing exists in soccer, but his shot is whiffed and missed. Atlanta really needs a second goal because Portland is knocking on the door.

64’ - Yellow to Muyumba for a back tackle on former teammate Hernandez.

65 - Atlanta subs Galoppo for Sanchez. Good debut for the River Plate man.

68’ - Great shot by Almiron saved by Pantemis. It appears it was deflected and curled the wrong way from goal.

70’ - Sanchez bringing energy to the attack. Attempting to win second balls and putting some strong tackles on Portland.

72’ - More expert time wasting possession by Atlanta. It’s not entertaining, but they run about 3’ keeping Portland chasing the ball.

73’ - Eventually the ball goes toward the box where Miranchuk lays it off to Sanchez, behind him. Sanchez has to slow to get the pass and sees his shot stopped by Chara.

75’ - 3 subs for Portland. Leaving the match are Chara, Fory, and Bassett. Entering are Ortiz, Fernandez, and Smith.

79’ - Fantastic work by Embolo to get past his defender who fouls him at least twice. The ref plays advantage. Embolo passes to Almiron who is all alone in the attack. His shot goes directly to the keeper's feet.

82’ - Fernandes finds himself with a bouncing cross at his feet but his shot goes wide.

82’ - Final subs for Atlanta. Fortune on for Muyumba and Minaj on for Diaz. This one worries me because Velde has been a menace on the left. Diaz teamed well with Edwards to smother any attacks.

85’ - Final sub for Portland as Guerra comes on for Hernandez. Portland swapped a defender for an attacker.

90+2’ - Portland’s attack crosses it up to Hoyos who catches it before the Timbers can get a head to the ball.

90+3’ Minaj is stomped on by Timbers Velde and falls to the ground. A bit of showmanship.

90+5’ - A minute over the announced stoppage time. The whistle blows, and Atlanta is the first team to shut out the Timbers in their house this season.

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