Match recap: Magical Alexey Miranchuk strike, defensive discipline lifts 5-Stripes over Portland Timbers

Alexey Miranchuk picked the right moment to put an end to a goalless streak. 

Atlanta United's designated player scored for the first time since April, and it couldn't have come at a mora crucial moment. His first half goal, and a second half full of committed, coordinated defending lifted Atlanta United over Portland Timbers. The 1-0 result was the 5-Stripes' second consecutive clean sheet and a lifeline result in their playoff push. 

What happened

The earliest occurrence in the match was an injury to Paulo Díaz he suffered coming down from a contested header. He reentered the pitch a few minutes later. 

Breel Embolo took a chance that unfolded quickly and nearly put Atlanta United ahead in the 4th minute. Alexey Miranchuk found him with a through ball that gave the forward an angle at goal, but his shot was saved by Portland's James Pantemis. 

Lucas Hoyos was called into action to save a Kristoffer Velde header in the 10th minute. The Timbers forward was really close to goal but hit the ball straight into the ground. Nonetheless, Hoyos made a reactionary stop. 

Díaz connected with Embolo in the 16th minute to combine for another chance. Embolo tried to take the over-the-top through ball down smoothly, but his touch ended up being a pseudo-shot that Pantemis denied. 

Portland went up the other end two minutes later and Ariel Lassiter got a good look from a first-time volley. His shot hit side netting. 

The Timbers were rapid on the counter, getting a similar chance from a back-post cross in the 21st minute. Cole Bassett was the one on the end this time, and his shot soared over the bar. 

Miranchuk had a signature moment on his left foot in the 28th minute. Miguel Almirón whipped a ball across the box that found the forward at the edge of the area. He feinted and cut onto his strong foot, hitting a dipping strike into the side netting. Atlanta United had a 1-0 advantage in a notoriously energetic road environment.

Tomás Jacob had to be taken off the pitch in the 32nd minute, and head coach Tata Martino replaced him with Matt Edwards. 

Aside from an Almirón longshot that flew too high, things fizzled out into choppy play to end the first half. Atlanta United maintained their advantage but were far from securing a result. 

After a relatively tame first 10 minutes of the second half, things started to pick up in on both attacking ends. Portland had a great look through on goal in the 59th minute, but Vincent Janssen's slow roller dribbled wide. 

Up the other end a minute later, Embolo had a free header with just the keeper to beat. Miranchuk found Báez, who squared a header to the forward. His attempt wasn't hit hard enough, and it bounced wide. 

Atlanta United countered in the 67th minute, and from a Miranchuk switch, Almirón curled a low, driven shot that just ran wide of the right post. The play was ruled a goal kick, but Pantemis might've gotten a tip on the ball to parry it wide. 

Cooper Sanchez, who came on for the debutant Giuliano Galoppo, had a ball fall to him inside the box in the 72nd minute. He took a shot that was blocked wide by Diego Chará.

The 5-Stripes held their own, even with more Portland pressure. When they got on the ball, Atlanta United were patient and insistent that good possession would do more than rushed attacks. 

Enea Mihaj and Jay Fortune came on for Tristan Muyumba and Díaz in the 82nd minute, fresh faces in the middle of the Atlanta United formation to see out the result. 

Portland forced a chaotic sequence after a corner kick in the 84th minute, where multiple Timbers attackers attempted shots. The final one was a header from Finn Surman that looped over the bar to end the threat. 

The Timbers were eager to equalize as the minutes ticked away in the match, holding the majority of possession in the last 10 minutes and additional time. Atlanta United's defending was disciplined and a complete team effort. Almirón and other attackers tracked back, Mihaj and Júnior Alonso fended away crosses, Hoyos made saves, and the 5-Stripes withstood the final minutes. The 1-0 win put them up to 26 points and was their second consecutive clean sheet. 

Standouts

• Júnior Alonso led another clean sheet effort, also commanding the 5-Stripes in possession with a team-high 63 touches. The Paraguayan had five clearances, second most on the evening for the visitors. 
• Giuliano Galoppo came in flying on his club debut. In 65 minutes, he had a shot, a chance created, 8 passes in the final third, won 4 duels and won 2 tackles.

Milestones

• Giuliano Galoppo made his first appearance and start for Atlanta United. The midfielder played 65 minutes in an all-around effort. 
• Alexey Miranchuk scored his team-high 6th goal of the MLS regular season.
• Atlanta United kept consecutive clean sheets in away matches for the first time since November 2021. 

Up next

Atlanta United will return home for a match against New York City FC Saturday, Sept. 26. The 7:30 p.m. ET kick off will be the first match between the two Eastern Conference opponents this season. Get your tickets here.