This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2018/dec/09/mls-cup-atlanta-united-v-portland-timbers-live
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| MLS Cup final: Atlanta United v Portland Timbers – live! | MLS Cup final: Atlanta United v Portland Timbers – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ah. No he wasn’t. As always happens to me when I play FIFA, the right back kept him on. | |
| Onside. #MLSCup (this is after the ball is played and he’s still on) pic.twitter.com/VJuDoZPnWu | |
| Gooooooooolllll ... | |
| Josef Martinez, looking to add an #MLSCup MVP to his regular season honors (via @UnivisionSports)pic.twitter.com/vptnbWBI5I | |
| ... | |
| ... | |
| ... was he offside? | |
| For a while, not quite a game that lived up to the hype or the atmosphere. But Martinez’s opportunistic goal may force Portland out of its “Don’t let Atlanta be Atlanta” game plan, and the Timbers can attack, too. | |
| Good observation while they tend to Ebobisse ... | |
| Michael Parkhurst will probably eventually do down as the best American player to never play in a World Cup. So smart. He reads the game so well.. always has #MLSCUP | |
| I don’t have time to look it up now, but the Atlanta defender (formerly New England) usually gets through each season with a ridiculously small number of fouls. Fair play indeed. | |
| 43 mins: HUGE SAVE by Brad Guzan, as Atlanta United loses focus just for a moment and leaves Ebobisse open six yards out, dead center in front of the goal. Guzan leaps to his right to keep out the header. | |
| Ebobisse lands badly and is still down. | |
| 41 mins: That’s 35 goals in the regular season and postseason for Martinez this season. | |
| How does Transfermarkt only list him at 5.85 millions pounds? Atlanta will certainly get bigger offers than that. | |
| Michael Parkhurst, another veteran defender, slides forward in midfield with a tackle that sends the ball flying up into the box for Martinez, who makes slightly fewer moves in the 1vkeeper situation than Mo Salah did earlier today but still finishes calmly. | |
| 37 mins: Portland’s pressure forces Atlanta to play back to Guzan. And again. | |
| 35 mins: Twitter is not being so kind to our center ref ... | |
| “Hi, my name is Alan Kelly, and I’d like to ruin the MLS Cup by allowing players to kick the life out of each other.”🙄 | |
| I'm not saying Alan Kelly is letting a lot go, but every time someone complains about a no call Kelly responds "But did he DIE?" #MLSCup | |
| 33 mins: Larentowicz again stops a Portland attack, with forward Jeremy Ebobisse (who, I’m compelled to add, played college soccer at my alma mater) giving him a little shove. Ebobisse has been utterly starved of service. | |
| 32 mins: Atlanta wingback-ish Greg Garza streaks down the left, but nothing comes of it. A Portland counter looks dangerous but is cut out by MLS veteran Jeff Larentowicz, who has been playing in the league since the 1800s. | |
| 30 mins: And the ensuing corner kick was dangerous as well, zipping through the 6-yard box. Portland tries to counter but can’t. Atlanta just keeps stripping the ball away in midfield. | |
| 29 mins: Now THAT was nice. Atlanta wins the ball 40 yards out, springs it left, then back in the box for Almiron with a side volley driven down off the turf. Attinella has to spring to push it over. | |
| 26 mins: Valeri is down and grimacing. He’s OK now. Atlanta is connecting more passes, but Martinez puts a through ball 10 yards ahead of Nagbe. Did Usain Bolt sign anywhere? | |
| 25 mins: A couple of Atlanta crosses are not good. | |
| 22 mins: A nervy moment for Portland as Attinella can’t quite decide whether to come out for a ball that takes forever to land in the box. | |
| After some ping-pong, Nagbe laces a long shot over the bar. | |
| For all of Atlanta’s dominance, that’s the first shot recorded in this game. At all. | |
| 21 mins: Portland’s excellent attacker Diego Valeri moves through midfield. He bonks shins with Julian Gressel, takes a couple of steps and falls. | |
| In fairness to Alan Kelly, I wouldn’t want to ref this game. (And I can’t, having nearly torn my Achilles as an assistant ref this fall.) | |
| 19 mins: Long free kick for Portland, floated to the middle of the box and not troubling Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan. (Yes, that Brad Guzan, Premier League supporters.) | 19 mins: Long free kick for Portland, floated to the middle of the box and not troubling Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan. (Yes, that Brad Guzan, Premier League supporters.) |
| 18 mins: Another Portland foul, as if the Timbers are daring Atlanta to beat them with set pieces. | 18 mins: Another Portland foul, as if the Timbers are daring Atlanta to beat them with set pieces. |
| "VAR will stop controversies about calls" #MLSCup | "VAR will stop controversies about calls" #MLSCup |
| 15 mins: Replay shows it should be a penalty kick as Martinez is tripped in the box. | 15 mins: Replay shows it should be a penalty kick as Martinez is tripped in the box. |
| The officials apparently disagree. | The officials apparently disagree. |
| 14 mins: Another Portland foul near midfield. As expected, Atlanta is proving difficult to slow down. | 14 mins: Another Portland foul near midfield. As expected, Atlanta is proving difficult to slow down. |
| And ... uh oh ... video review as an Atlanta player falls in the box ... | And ... uh oh ... video review as an Atlanta player falls in the box ... |
| 12 mins: The free kick from the foul on Almiron is played out for an Atlanta corner, which gives Fox a chance to show off its new corner flag cam. They play it back and nothing happens. | 12 mins: The free kick from the foul on Almiron is played out for an Atlanta corner, which gives Fox a chance to show off its new corner flag cam. They play it back and nothing happens. |
| 11 mins: A rare Portland foray forward, with left back Jorge Villafana (familiar to U.S. national team fans) overlaps and cuts back. The defense cuts it out. Then Portland’s Diego Valeri embellishes so badly and obviously that the ref calls nothing -- and maybe should’ve called the foul. | 11 mins: A rare Portland foray forward, with left back Jorge Villafana (familiar to U.S. national team fans) overlaps and cuts back. The defense cuts it out. Then Portland’s Diego Valeri embellishes so badly and obviously that the ref calls nothing -- and maybe should’ve called the foul. |
| At the other end, Atlanta’s Almiron is clattered to the turf and rolls several times. Ouch. | At the other end, Atlanta’s Almiron is clattered to the turf and rolls several times. Ouch. |
| 9 mins: Mostly ATL so far. | 9 mins: Mostly ATL so far. |
| A quick word from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer ... | A quick word from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer ... |
| I've covered #ATLUTD before it was even a thing.I can remember sitting in a parking lot at #GSU, not attending an #MBA class b/c I was writing a story that the city was a contender.I remember sitting in the press room of the #Masters writing when the announcement would be. | I've covered #ATLUTD before it was even a thing.I can remember sitting in a parking lot at #GSU, not attending an #MBA class b/c I was writing a story that the city was a contender.I remember sitting in the press room of the #Masters writing when the announcement would be. |
| Doug replaced me at my first newspaper, and he worked with me at my second. Now he’s covering this exciting team, and I’m writing from my bedroom. My career choices need work. | Doug replaced me at my first newspaper, and he worked with me at my second. Now he’s covering this exciting team, and I’m writing from my bedroom. My career choices need work. |
| 6 mins: A good move through midfield for Atlanta, but MLS MVP and single-season-scoring-record-holder (I don’t recall the style on hyphens) Josef Martinez trips and can’t get there. | 6 mins: A good move through midfield for Atlanta, but MLS MVP and single-season-scoring-record-holder (I don’t recall the style on hyphens) Josef Martinez trips and can’t get there. |
| 5 mins: Darlington Nagbe spent seven years with Portland. He now plays for Atlanta, and he was just dumped to the turf. (Which is artificial, of course, since we’re inside.) | 5 mins: Darlington Nagbe spent seven years with Portland. He now plays for Atlanta, and he was just dumped to the turf. (Which is artificial, of course, since we’re inside.) |
| Atlanta floats a cross, but Portland keeper Jeff Attinella, who was superb in the semifinal, collects easily. | Atlanta floats a cross, but Portland keeper Jeff Attinella, who was superb in the semifinal, collects easily. |
| 3 mins: And we have our first shot -- or maybe not, as a whistle goes for a handball as Atlanta’s Escobar brought the ball down before centering. Atlanta on the front foot in any case. Or front hand. | 3 mins: And we have our first shot -- or maybe not, as a whistle goes for a handball as Atlanta’s Escobar brought the ball down before centering. Atlanta on the front foot in any case. Or front hand. |
| 2 mins: Atlanta chips the ball over the backline but can’t convert. Our commentators are still in pregame mode, and I didn’t quite catch who it was. | 2 mins: Atlanta chips the ball over the backline but can’t convert. Our commentators are still in pregame mode, and I didn’t quite catch who it was. |
| A minute late by my watch, but they had to give us more on-field camera footage. | A minute late by my watch, but they had to give us more on-field camera footage. |
| No goals in the first 15 seconds? What a disappointment. | No goals in the first 15 seconds? What a disappointment. |
| Both teams have dynamic players, which has set the stage for much anticipation and probably means we’ll go to PKs after a 0-0 result. | Both teams have dynamic players, which has set the stage for much anticipation and probably means we’ll go to PKs after a 0-0 result. |
| The national anthem was sung by a 7-year-old. I believe she was 5 when the pregame show started. | The national anthem was sung by a 7-year-old. I believe she was 5 when the pregame show started. |
| Portland Timbers sponsor Alaska Airlines also tweeted a message of support for the team, which brings to mind this classic ad from a few years ago with former Scottish international John Spencer, then the coach of the team. The premise is an employee exchange program. | Portland Timbers sponsor Alaska Airlines also tweeted a message of support for the team, which brings to mind this classic ad from a few years ago with former Scottish international John Spencer, then the coach of the team. The premise is an employee exchange program. |
| Former Chelsea Ladies Reserve coach weighs in ... | Former Chelsea Ladies Reserve coach weighs in ... |
| Lets go @TimbersFC 👊🌲 #RCTID https://t.co/FR99GtzWmP | Lets go @TimbersFC 👊🌲 #RCTID https://t.co/FR99GtzWmP |
| Parsons moved to the USA to coach at Culpeper Soccer Association. Not sure what happened to him after that. | Parsons moved to the USA to coach at Culpeper Soccer Association. Not sure what happened to him after that. |
| Fifteen minutes until kickoff. | Fifteen minutes until kickoff. |
| Go raid the fridge. | Go raid the fridge. |
| Why is the final in Atlanta? | Why is the final in Atlanta? |
| Such is the question asked via email by Deborah Rutt, who appears to have Portland ties: “I get why the final is in Atlanta, but I don’t get why the final is hosted by the highest seed, a lopsided advantage. Are there any other ‘major’ finals with this arrangement?” | Such is the question asked via email by Deborah Rutt, who appears to have Portland ties: “I get why the final is in Atlanta, but I don’t get why the final is hosted by the highest seed, a lopsided advantage. Are there any other ‘major’ finals with this arrangement?” |
| The NBA and NHL give the edge in their best-of-seven series to the higher seed, though that’s not quite the same. | The NBA and NHL give the edge in their best-of-seven series to the higher seed, though that’s not quite the same. |
| The MLS Cup final used to be at a neutral site. It was much better for the media, who could plan their travel expenses accordingly, and a lot of business took place around the event. Sponsors and other interested parties descended on the town. It was nice. | The MLS Cup final used to be at a neutral site. It was much better for the media, who could plan their travel expenses accordingly, and a lot of business took place around the event. Sponsors and other interested parties descended on the town. It was nice. |
| But that arrangement also meant the crowd may or may not show up. Would you show up to a game after your team had been eliminated? | But that arrangement also meant the crowd may or may not show up. Would you show up to a game after your team had been eliminated? |
| Hey, look who’s there ... | Hey, look who’s there ... |
| It’s Guardian contributor Caitlin Murray, bravely getting a bit of video from the traveling Timbers Army, which arrived early. | It’s Guardian contributor Caitlin Murray, bravely getting a bit of video from the traveling Timbers Army, which arrived early. |
| As quiet as the inside of the press box is, the stands in the stadium are just as loud. #MLSCup #RCTID #ATLvPOR pic.twitter.com/nuWTvqKoLH | As quiet as the inside of the press box is, the stands in the stadium are just as loud. #MLSCup #RCTID #ATLvPOR pic.twitter.com/nuWTvqKoLH |
| And English fans think traveling to Sunderland for an away match is an imposition ... | And English fans think traveling to Sunderland for an away match is an imposition ... |
| Tata Martino’s farewell ... | Tata Martino’s farewell ... |
| This is the last game with Atlanta United for manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino. | This is the last game with Atlanta United for manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino. |
| Yes, the same guy who managed Argentina and Barcelona. He’s likely leaving for another big-time job. Not yet confirmed. | Yes, the same guy who managed Argentina and Barcelona. He’s likely leaving for another big-time job. Not yet confirmed. |
| Read more about Tata, who has instilled a swaggering attacking mentality ... | Read more about Tata, who has instilled a swaggering attacking mentality ... |
| Barcelona, Argentina … Atlanta: How Tata Martino came to thrive in MLS | Barcelona, Argentina … Atlanta: How Tata Martino came to thrive in MLS |
| How big is this game? Georgia has moved its high school football playoff finals to the middle of next week so that Atlanta United could keep its home ground. | How big is this game? Georgia has moved its high school football playoff finals to the middle of next week so that Atlanta United could keep its home ground. |
| (Go Spartans, incidentally.) | (Go Spartans, incidentally.) |
| Kickoff time is 8:08 Eastern time. That’s a little after 5 p.m. on the West Coach. A little after 1 a.m. in England. A little after 9 a.m. in Beijing. Hello to all of you. | Kickoff time is 8:08 Eastern time. That’s a little after 5 p.m. on the West Coach. A little after 1 a.m. in England. A little after 9 a.m. in Beijing. Hello to all of you. |
| In our college basketball game, someone fouled with 0.7 seconds left, leaving open the possibility of hitting two 3-pointers in 0.35 seconds each. | In our college basketball game, someone fouled with 0.7 seconds left, leaving open the possibility of hitting two 3-pointers in 0.35 seconds each. |
| And naturally, the team that’s down by four with 5.2 seconds left calls timeout. Coaches always do that when their broadcast window is running long. TV executives ought to be able to overrule them. | And naturally, the team that’s down by four with 5.2 seconds left calls timeout. Coaches always do that when their broadcast window is running long. TV executives ought to be able to overrule them. |
| I spoke too soon about broadcasting conflicts. Fox is stuck with a college basketball game with 9.2 seconds left in overtime. | I spoke too soon about broadcasting conflicts. Fox is stuck with a college basketball game with 9.2 seconds left in overtime. |
| Atlanta United lineup ... | Atlanta United lineup ... |
| No changes from the second leg of the series against the New York Red Bulls. | No changes from the second leg of the series against the New York Red Bulls. |
| Our Starting XI vs @TimbersFC#UniteAndConquer | #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/9DtlyeOxBU | Our Starting XI vs @TimbersFC#UniteAndConquer | #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/9DtlyeOxBU |
| Portland Timbers lineup ... | Portland Timbers lineup ... |
| The one change from their dramatic ouster of Sporting KC is at the back, where Larrys Mabiala replaces Bill Poni Tuiloma. | The one change from their dramatic ouster of Sporting KC is at the back, where Larrys Mabiala replaces Bill Poni Tuiloma. |
| Our final Starting XI of 2018. #MLSCup #OnwardRoseCity #RCTID pic.twitter.com/eIR4Ho3HId | Our final Starting XI of 2018. #MLSCup #OnwardRoseCity #RCTID pic.twitter.com/eIR4Ho3HId |
| Are you watching overseas? | Are you watching overseas? |
| We have one complaint along those lines ... | We have one complaint along those lines ... |
| Why couldn’t this be changed to a more suitable time for the UK. We are your founding fathers and gave you the beautiful game! pic.twitter.com/cs8s2VWGua | Why couldn’t this be changed to a more suitable time for the UK. We are your founding fathers and gave you the beautiful game! pic.twitter.com/cs8s2VWGua |
| An afternoon game actually wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially with only one major college football game on the air (Army-Navy). | An afternoon game actually wouldn’t be a bad idea, especially with only one major college football game on the air (Army-Navy). |
| Good evening everyone! | Good evening everyone! |
| This is a dream matchup in so many ways. The high-flying offense of Atlanta United, complete with people you may see playing and coaching on even bigger stages than MLS Cup in the near future, facing off against a deceptively talented underdog in the Portland Timbers. | This is a dream matchup in so many ways. The high-flying offense of Atlanta United, complete with people you may see playing and coaching on even bigger stages than MLS Cup in the near future, facing off against a deceptively talented underdog in the Portland Timbers. |
| All in a dome with 70,000 or so of your closest friends. | All in a dome with 70,000 or so of your closest friends. |
| Beau will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s Bryan Graham on Atlanta’s MLS rise: | Beau will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s Bryan Graham on Atlanta’s MLS rise: |
| It’s more than four hours before kickoff at Mercedes-Benz stadium in downtown Atlanta on an unseasonably balmy October morning. The sprawling parking area known as the Gulch is bursting with activity, the sort of raucous, well-lubricated tailgate scene more commonly associated with America’s two most popular sports: the NFL and college football. | It’s more than four hours before kickoff at Mercedes-Benz stadium in downtown Atlanta on an unseasonably balmy October morning. The sprawling parking area known as the Gulch is bursting with activity, the sort of raucous, well-lubricated tailgate scene more commonly associated with America’s two most popular sports: the NFL and college football. |
| Football is indeed the day’s feature attraction, but not the brand traditionally linked to the deep south. Instead, red-clad fans numbering in the thousands have descended on the ground-level asphalt patch beneath a tangle of overpasses in support of Atlanta United, the nascent Major League Soccer (MLS) club that’s become the most improbable phenomenon in American sports today – and a vibrant symbol of a new Atlanta. | Football is indeed the day’s feature attraction, but not the brand traditionally linked to the deep south. Instead, red-clad fans numbering in the thousands have descended on the ground-level asphalt patch beneath a tangle of overpasses in support of Atlanta United, the nascent Major League Soccer (MLS) club that’s become the most improbable phenomenon in American sports today – and a vibrant symbol of a new Atlanta. |
| You can read the full article below: | You can read the full article below: |
| 'A-T-L!': the soccer team outselling the NFL | 'A-T-L!': the soccer team outselling the NFL |