Here are some of the things that have occurred since Atlanta United last won an MLS game on the road, which happened May 15 at Vancouver:
*It has advanced through the fourth round, Round of 16, quarterfinals AND semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup.
*Josef Martinez’s MLS-record 10-consecutive-game scoring streak started and can continue Sunday at Portland.
*It won the Campeones Cup, which happened with a 3-2 win over Club America on Wednesday.
Even manager Frank de Boer said that considering his team’s recent successful form, that it hasn’t won a league game on the road in its past six tries is perplexing.
“We want to make a change as quick as possible in that,” he said. “I think we are too good to have that kind of series. Hopefully we can start on Sunday.”
The team has won road games, including at Columbus and Orlando in the U.S. Open Cup. But its form in league games has been difficult to comprehend with losses at New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Chicago, Toronto, Seattle and LAFC.
A win against the Timbers would be important for a lot of reasons:
Despite winning four of its past five league games, Atlanta United still trails Philadelphia by three points for first place in the East. The Five Stripes do have a game in hand, though. Atlanta United is trying to stay ahead of NYCFC, which has 38 points to Atlanta United’s 42 but has played two fewer games.
Defeating the Timbers at Providence Park, which is a reverse fixture from last year’s MLS Cup, will show the rest of the teams that Atlanta United can be as formidable away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium as it has been at home, where it is 10-1-3 in league games.
Lastly, it will show that Atlanta United isn’t suffering any Campeones Cup hangover and capable of quickly regaining its focus.
To defeat Portland will require Atlanta United to overcome injuries to starters Eric Remedi and Franco Escobar, the fatigue of playing its third game and eight days, and Portland’s quality.
The Timbers feature formidable striker Brian Fernandez, who has scored 10 goals in 12 games. De Boer complimented Fernandez’s intelligence Friday. He also pointed to defensive midfielder Diego Chara as someone that Atlanta United must be mindful of.
“Portland is a huge test,” Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “They're a good team — obviously the team we beat in the final and they'll want to stick it to us for sure. ... I think that Philly are playing extremely well. You got NYCFC who have games in hand, and in a sense, we have to think there's possibly a road game in the playoffs. We went on the road in 2018 expecting to win and we have to do that again.”
