Atlanta United will host Portland on Sunday in the marquee game in MLS. Kick is at 4:30 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Five Stripes lead MLS with 33 points. The Timbers are in sixth in the West with 22 points.
Jamie Goldberg is the lead soccer reporter at The Oregonian. She has covered the Portland Timbers since 2013.
She answered three questions about the game:
Q. The Timbers went winless in their first five, changed formations, went on a six-game winning streak, but have drawn their past two games. Have opponents come up with a better plan to deal with the 4-2-3-1, or is it just how the results went?
A. I think opponents have made adjustments in the last few games as the Timbers' system and 4-3-2-1 formation has become more predictable, but the back-to-back draws have a lot more to do with just how those games played out. Portland has found plenty of scoring chances in the last two matches, but has failed to score from the run of play. Against LA, the Timbers had numerous opportunities to score, but weren't able to put it away. Against Kansas City, the Timbers had to deal with the absence of Diego Chara, which was a major blow. The club still managed to get the clean sheet and could have found a goal if they were more clinical in the attack. Portland has also been without Liam Ridgewell in the last few weeks. Ridgewell is now fit and could return to the field against Atlanta, which could give Portland's back line a big boost.
Q. Other than the formation, what has been the key in eight-game unbeaten streak?
A. I think this team now looks a lot more bought-in and comfortable with the formation and system. They are also playing with more confidence. Coming home obviously helped as well. The Timbers went winless in five consecutive games to open the season, but all those games were on the road. It also isn't shocking that it took the club time to adjust to a new coach.
Q. What is the matchup to watch on Sunday and how do you think it will go?
A. It will be interesting to see Darlington Nagbe on the other side of the field for the first time since 2011. I'm excited to see Nagbe and Diego Chara go up against each other at times in the midfield. Nagbe is tremendous at keeping possession and going into 1v1 situations, while Chara is a gritty ball winner in the midfield. I expect to see Chara foul Nagbe a few times in the game, but I also think that Chara is someone that might be capable of taking the ball off Nagbe a few times as well.
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