MLS CUP FINAL - ATLANTA UNITED V PORTLAND TIMBERS

Gregg Berahlter's appointment to coach the USMNT , Tyler Adams' transfer to RB Leipzig, the award of the MLS MVP award to Josef Martinez and the MLS Cup Final it is safe to suggest there have been quieter weeks in US Soccer. Atlanta United led by Tata Martino enter Saturday's showpiece on home soil knowing they could claim their city's first national sports championship for nearly a quarter of a century. Their opponents, Portland Timbers however have been in fine form and will revel in the underdog role many have accredited to them prior to Saturday's kickoff. They will also be riled by the fact Atlanta owner Arthur Blank has already outlined plans for a city parade. The concepts of fan engagement, culture and carnival which the organization prides itself on will be aplenty Saturday night. The organization has come a long way since the days of the 90's heavily remembered for mullets, short shorts and colourful kits. After many years of false hope and expectations finally the MLS has a showcase worth the clamour it craves.

Just how did the "A-T-L" become the soccer city outselling the NFL? Quite frankly when Home Depot and Atlanta Falcons owner began to conceptualize the idea of forming a soccer team in the Georgia city it is pretty unlikely he would have imagined the behmoth of a monster he was soon about to create. United are unique in that they play on Atlanta's deep South roots embedded in their culture and attract fans from every demographic. They have struck up a chord with Hip-Hop superstars Migos, 2Chainz and Ceelo Green collaborating on numerous projects exposing themselves to a new wider audience. The players even warmup to Jeezy and OutKast. A city pronounced as the hip-hop capital of the United States which was once previously apathetic towards it's professional sports teams have united and sold on Arthur Blank's idea from day one. They are the drivers of this project and it is they who have provided the endless crescendo of noise and ambience without fail. A city referred to as "Transplants", they all amalgamate as one for United. Fans groups galore each race, gender, age is catered for. When people ask what the future of football will look like, tell them they are late and point them towards the Mercedes Benz Arena in the heart of downtown Atlanta in amongst the cacophony of noise, tifos and Dennis the Menace liked dressed figures where United and Blank are living out their wildest dreams.

The "hosts" have been in imperious form this season and only missed out narrowly on the Supporter's Shield (1st place in MLS rankings) by losing to Toronto on "decision day". They are widely regarded as many neutral's team to watch and with players like Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron it is no reason why. However their progress to the decider has been in large part to manager, Tata Martino who along with rival coach Giovanni Savarese is making his MLS Cup Final debut this Saturday. Post Argentina's 2016 Copa America final defeat to Chile it was tough to suspect where Tata Martino's career was heading. Just two years earlier he had vacated his position as Barcelona head coach following their second place finish to Atletico Madrid and Copa Del Rey final defeat. This coupled with three Copa America final defeats in charge of Paraguay and Argentina filled Tat with little optimism of a fruitful return to management. When ambitious Home Depot and Atlanta Falcons owner; Arthur Blank pitched the idea to Martino regarding taking over leading the Atlanta project in 2017 Tata would hardly suspect he would write himself into American sporting culture. Such is the adulation the locals hold him in was the tifo they unveiled in the first leg playoff against the Red Bulls paying homage to the Argentine in what was his last home game. Tata has changed the perceptions surrounding the American game too. His influence has been such that he has attracted big name managers such as Dominic Torrent and Matias Almeyda to the league. The calibre of player throughout the league has greatly improved and South American interest has skyrocketed too. His effect on the pitch has been clear for all to see too. Julian Gressel, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Eric Remedi, Greg Garza are all several .players who have improved their ability and career trajectory under Martino. However none have experienced such a rise to prominence as Miguel Almiron and one Josef Martinez.

Atlanta became just one of a few franchises in MLS history this week to have two of their players (Martinez & Almiron) in the top three running for the MVP award. It was the Venezuelan, Martinez who claimed it with ease however. Given his goal scoring record this past season it is little wonder why. Since his move in 2017 he has set the record for most goals in a MLS season (2018; 31) and the most amount of MLS hat tricks (6), all the more outlandish given Martinez comes from a family of goalkeepers. Many suspect this Saturday's game will be his last for the club like manager, Tata Martino. His former team, Torino will be kicking themselves if Martinez departs for a fraction of the fee several recent sources have touted. Much like his demeanor suggests, he is a cool calm collected finisher in front of goal. To classify Martinez as just a goalscorer however would be unjust. The Venezuelan's leadership skills are often overlooked, numerous times this season he has been the "clutch" player every big team needs. Whereas in the past the MLS had been seen as a league where European players would retire in return for a final payday, the Five Stripes have flipped this narrative on it's head by acquiring young talents like Martinez and his accomplice, Miguel Almiron. The Paraguayan has proven to be the perfect companion in attack with Martinez and possesses skills, technique and flair in abundance. President; Darren Eales has spoken out already this week about how the playmaker will not be sold for "chump change". Eales who in his past career helped facilitate Maurico Pochettino's move to Spurs has along with Carlos Bocanegra headed Atlanta's recruitment strategy. 13 goals, 11 assists immersed between numerous impressive cameos it is easy to see why potential suitors such as Arsenal and Newcastle will have to stump up sizeable figures to acquire the prolific Paraguayan.

Whatever the result on Saturday this a club changing the MLS landscape. Tata or Martinez-less next season fear not, in little under two years the team from Southern Georgia have soared to the top of the MLS and are showing no inclinations of giving up that tag anytime soon. Victory on Saturday would resemble a huge marker given their fledgling two year existence. Despite his commitment to playing attractive football easy on the eye, Martino enters this weekend's showdown between a rock and a hard place. The main question being how they will deal with Portland's "bunker" approach as they have struggled at times to break down teams with such a deep block.  His United side have played so well recently of late in the flexible 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 system thanks to the wing back pairing of Franco Escobar and Julian Gressel. Both the Argentine and German are crucial to Martino's preferred system of play and will be instrumental should Portland as expected adopt a strict defensive approach. Eric Remedi another fellow countryman of Martino's holds the base of midfield and will control play from the middle third with his varied range of passing. Ex-Timbers; Darlington Nagbe will start against his former club only just three years after winning the MLS cup in the green uniform. Nagbe will be charged with breaking the lines and facilitating ease of ball into the dynamite duo of Martinez and Almiron. Given the duo's flexibility and pace however the option remains open for Tata to sit back and let Portland play before devastating the Timbers on the break. The approach has been adopted several times thus far and although contrary to the values and culture their manager has implemented during his short stay so far it may prove to be the most effective. If Portland and Savarase line up as expected, I suspect Tata to compromise.

Portland a city known for it's Cascadia subculture, Voodoo doughnuts, Progressive political views and seedy nightlife not to mention other things sees itself in the spotlight this coming Saturday night as they chase just their second ever MLS title. Never has the term; "underdog" befitted a team in football worldwide like the Cascadians heading into Saturday night's game. Their run to the finale , the career of GM; Gavin Wilkinson or the subsequent rise to prominence of manager; Giovanni Savarese there are fairytales in abundance. The Timbers simply do not adhere to the script. They have been referred to as "Road Warriors" this week in American media with all three of their wins in the playoffs transpiring away to Dallas, bitter rivals; Seattle Sounders and most recently Kansas City. Yet they are not complete misfits either, we now know that it’s not just three conference finals in six seasons but two MLS Cup appearances in four for the Timbers and they were the first team to win MLS Cup on the road after the league changed the match from a neutral site to the home of the team. Nine of their squad will enter the match having won the MLS cup before. Like their Eastern opposition the Timber's boast a fervent support and over 3,500 of the Timber's Army along with Timber Joey of course will make the voyage. They make the 5,000 mile round trip not in anticipation of victory or glorious success but embracing that it is just inherent in their DNA to expect the unexpected.

Their rise to one of the MLS' elite has not been as straight forward though. Some light was shone this week on the brilliant story of Timbers' GM, Gavin Wilkinson through the magnificent writing of Sam Stejskal. In September of 2006 he undertook the role as GM and manager of the then USL team. He would juggle both roles until 2010. Nevertheless, with the firing of manager, John Spencer in the 2012 season Wilkinson would reassume the managerial position on an interim basis along with his role of GM of the now MLS franchise. What followed were 20 hour days juggling both roles, leaving his then young family to move into a condo adjacent to Providence Park. It was hell on earth for Wilkinson with repeated calls for his exit from the Timber's diehards. Wilkinson finished the season with just three wins from seventeen games. The New Zealander endured many a sleepless night to ensure the club which had treated him so well as a player in their earlier USL days could ease in their transition to an established MLS club. However his passion lied in managing the overall structure rather than coaching. From his playing days Wilkinson demonstrated his management skills with the conceptualization of Eastside United who are now one of Oregon's leading youth teams and have a working relationship with the Timbers. With no scouting network in 2010 his signings came from near and afar and included one Diego Chara who has since become a club legend.

Before their maiden 2011 campaign Wilkinson and owner; Merritt Paulsen's aims were to recruit players who could give their MLS project legs and change the direction of the club. Liam Ridgewell, Sebastian Blanco among others have delivered on this however no one has taken this to heart more so than Diego Chara. The 32 year old Colombian has been a stalwart in the first XI since his signing in 2010. He in fact was the club's first ever designated player in franchise history. The Timbers famously haven’t won a game without him in the starting XI since July 2015. With his Cascadian counterpart Osaldo Alonso and native talents such as Will Trapp and Tyler Adams heralded for their performances it has been Chara time and time again who has sneaked under the radar. Timbers simply would not be here without him and should they prevail over the dynamic Atlanta side it will be in large thanks to Chara winning the battle in midfield. He will be more than likely tasked with halting the advances of Miguel Almiron whom will operate as a "central winger" bursting through the lines in between Chara and his defence. Overlooked for MLS All-Star teams and a place in team of the season's it will be hard to exclude the Cali native should the Timbers triumph . Portland's first ever designated player has certainly found a home in the state of Oregon.

Manager; Giovanni Savarese's rise to the MLS is not too uncanny to that of Wilkinson's either. Savarese will be making his fifth final appearance in six years, after leading the NASL's New York Cosmos to four Soccer Bowls. His transition into managing an established MLS side has not been problem free too. Much has been said regarding his inability to work along with Timber's camera equipment in his pre-season. His inaugural season at the helm has also coincided with the departure following club legend, Caleb Porter. A rocky start to the season saw them winless after their first five games. A change in formation from the diamond to a more common 4-2-3-1 saw the Timbers go unbeaten between April and August propelling up the Western conference. Although their league form has dipped off since then they have recovered in timely fashion for the MLS playoffs. This has been thanks in no part to the imperious form of the Argentinian duo of Sebastian Blanco & Diego Valeri. Jeremy Ebobisse meanwhile provides the perfect anecdote to the flair and cultured pair of Blanco and Valeri. Although he struggled to get involved in the two games against Kansas he is more than capable and is a crucial facet of Gio Savarese's overall game plan. Should the Timbers reign supreme Ebobisse needs to step up and be counted up front.

The Parisien born striker is fundamental to integrating the South American pair of playmaker's into play. His hold up play and selfless hard running have been subject to huge praise from fans and manager alike. There is a strong correlation between his presence and Timber's success. Although he struggled to get involved in the past two Kansas games it was his colleague Sebastian Blanco that saved the day. What the little Argentine lacks in height he makes up for in heart and determination. His footballing skills are not too shabby either. Molded by Lanus (like Valeri) on the outskirts of Buenos Aries the midfielder has enjoyed a nomadic career that has spanned Argentina, Ukraine and England. Since his move to Oregon in 2017 he has certainly alleviated much of the pressure heaped on Diego Valeri's shoulders. The pairing have netted twenty-seven goals between them to date. Three of which came in their Western Conference victory over Kansas City. With an insipid first half behind them trailing by a goal to nil Blanco set about repairing the damages with a thunderbolt of a strike deserving of a Puskas nomination. The Timbers withstood an omnipresent second half onslaught from the hosts and advanced to the Atlanta finale thanks to the magnificent; Diego Valeri's superbly taken double. Valeri and Blanco who grew up several miles apart in the Lanus suburb of Buenos Aries will now take to the field together nearly 7,000 miles away in Atlanta. They and the Timber's Army alike are hoping the pair can once more replicate the chemistry and good form they have so routinely provided the MLS throughout the 2018 campaign.

Fans from afar will look on with intrigue as to how Savarese lines up his Timber's team this Saturday. In their previous encounter at the Mercedes Benz this season the Timbers lined up in a 3-5-2, a formation that Giovanni Savarese hasn't employed for months, that included Samuel Armenteros, Lawrence Olum, Cristhian Paredes and Julio Cascante drawing 1-1. One suspects they will line up quite defensively in their accustomed 4-2-3-1 with Jeremy Ebobisse employed with the dirty work up front. With their low block the Timbers will attempt to suck up pressure before releasing long balls into the centre forward who will then look to bring in Valeri and Blanco into play. If Ebobisse can entice the United back three into a foot race down the channels then Portland should encounter some joy. The Timbers will look to suffocate Atlanta throughout and keep the game in the balance until late on. Their bench has played a huge role thus far in their playoff success too. Dairon Asprilla , Lawrence Olum and Andres Flores have all emerged as heroes when needed. The Rose City are pretty unconventional if you have not already quipped. They don't tend to play by the rules. Judging by the script Savarese and many of his outfit were destined to never make the biggest of stages for years on end. Central defender Liam Ridgewell a Premier League veteran could win his second MLS Cup as Portland captain, a far cry from the endless relegation battles that consumed his career at Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Their run to the final through the playoffs has been a microcosm of the adversity many men like their coach, Wilkinson and co have had to endure for most of their lives. Where most teams succumb to the pressure the Timbers flourish, grow and relish in it. Atlanta United could not have wished for a more precarious opponent to face on home soil this weekend.

CONCLUSION

This year's MLS Final takes on more significance than those before given the structures of both teams involved. Do not do Atlanta a disservice and attribute their rise solely to the elitist culture which has re-emerged in the American game most recently, this is a club made for the organic soccer fan. Portland meanwhile in the North West tip of the United States just keeping doing their thing; being weird. The Timbers were pioneers of the tremendous fan culture that has been captivated American soccer these past few years. A breakthrough season in terms of fan engagement which saw the likes of Wayne Rooney, Zlatan and LAFC take to American fields for the first time climaxes with two teams symbolic of the past, present and future of the American game. A victory for either is a victory for soccer. However despite both teams remarkable pathways to the climax of the MLS campaign there can only be one winner of the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy. Expect the trifecta of Martino, Martinez and Almiron to provide one final encore worthy of the most rigorous Atlanta acclaim.

Prediction - Atlanta United 2 - 1 Portland Timbers (AET)