An isolated moment that cracked open a season
Aleksei Miranchuk had not scored since April 28, in the U.S. Open Cup. His last league goal came on April 25. On Saturday night in Portland, one move was enough to send Atlanta United home with all three points, 1-0.
It was a decent finish. Junior Alonso and Miguel Almiron linked up, then Almiron’s cross from the left dropped to Miranchuk on the edge of the box. The Russian beat Jimer Fory by driving inside to the right, shifted back onto his left foot, then curled his shot beyond James Pantemis and in off the far post.
Sixth goal of the season. First in almost five months.
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Third clean sheet in 26 games tells its own story
Lucas Hoyos made three saves and recorded Atlanta’s third shutout of the season. The previous one came on September 12, a 0-0 draw at D.C. United. Two clean sheets before Saturday. That is where this team has been living defensively since March.
This time the back line held. Portland put three shots on target, the same as Atlanta, but fired 17 attempts in total to Atlanta’s 10. Plenty of volume, very little that truly worried anyone.
The clearest chance came in the 81st minute. Kristoffer Velde clipped a diagonal ball over the defense for Omir Fernandez, who was in acres of space but could not keep his volley down.
Seven points to make up, and the next two games decide it
Atlanta (7-14-5, 26 points) ends a four-game winless run. The club stays second from bottom in the East, seven points behind the playoff line and Cincinnati in ninth. Its next two matches are against Cincinnati and New York City FC, two of the teams it is chasing.
Portland (9-12-5, 32 points) has now lost two straight. The Timbers remain ninth in the West and will drop to 10th if San Diego pull off a surprise in Miami on Sunday.
Marti Cifuentes took charge in August. Since then his side had not been shut out once, not in eight league games, and not at home all season.
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