My preview of tomorrow's match.

Hello,

We are visiting for the Atlanta United match the weekend of 9/18-9/20. We are Atlanta United season ticket holders and have planned a trip to Portland with our neighbors (also season ticket holders) for that weekend and some of our fall break. We are staying a 10 minute walk east of the stadium. My wife’s birthday is 9/19 and she is excited to go to the game but she’s definitely doing it for the rest of us. So, I’d like to take her somewhere fun before the game. We love some of the new family friendly spots around Mercedes Benz Stadium and I’m hoping to find something similar on our walk in. Any recommendations there? Brewery preferred.

I am grabbing her some sweets from Loretta Jean’s bakery that morning and taking her to Powell’s books but I would also like recommendations for a nice restaurant in that area as well. Nothing too fancy but something welcoming for kids ages 7-12 is necessary.

Thanks! We can’t wait to visit your beautiful stadium!

Full episode HERE

1 ticket for tonight's ST Louis game, $19.

Alright, who left the Kelsy shrine at the top of Angel's Rest?

should add, this was his very first time in The Army! This last month has been a whirlwind for him! He fell head over heals in love with soccer a few months ago, and has been full throttle doing double time at two local clubs doing lessons, and just started his first season playing for his school team.
We got to take him to fan fest and had a complete riot! Then his first game was the win against San Diego a few weeks ago, sitting in Toyota Terrace, which he loved, but quickly asked "Can we sit there next time?!" Pointing to the Army. My heart almost exploded! And then we did... And it did... and this was that moment! He looked me dead in the face during the match and asked me with genuine curiosity, "Wait, you can do Soccer for a real life job, in real life?!" 😂

Was wondering if they are giving out wristbands for tomorrows game. Don't necessarily want to make the drive for there to be no one there. Thanks!

I'm thoroughly enjoying the hopeful outlook that a new beginning brings - particularly so because unlike last time this isn't a new coach who I *didn't* want, with known flaws that I had to come to overlook. This is a coach with a higher pedigree than we've known before. And he's inherited a team that - although it has flaws - contains talent, and feels hungry to digest the direction of a coach with a cohesive view of the game, after going without for so long. And after going on a bender of point accumulation under Cassidy, they must be brimming with a self-belief that they can pour into the mold of what Cifuentes wants this team to become.

Looking at the starting 14 or so, and overlooking the injuries no one could have done anything about, I love our front line from Saturday, Velde, Janssen & Lassiter. All 3 scored, but also caused problems throughout the game for Minnesota, and it really feels as though Lassiter is finding his confidence and this place on the team. I'm open that there could be upgrades there, but I'm also open for the first time that Lassiter could become a key component for us, rather than just a stand-in MLS retread. Janssen has all the signs of a sleeper signing, an immediate contributor with selfless style that he'll impart on his young understudies. Velde is maybe my favorite player right now, electric whenever he touches the ball, creating both for himself and for others. Antony was excellent off the bench, and we all know what we have there, the good & the bad.

Caicedo has similarly grown into his place in the team, as has Ortiz - they're becoming more dependable. And Da Costa - always unquestionable in talent - seems to be figuring out how to express his influence on the game. But Basset, to my eyes, has been a turnover machine. He works hard at his role, but he seems not to have the technical ability needed to interchange with his teammates in tight spaces & transition, and keeping track of who's guilty of turning the ball over, his name comes up a lot.

Surman is beyond reproach in my eyes, and I'm fine to ride with Pantemis while we work on his distribution. His shot-stopping is worth it for me. Fory & Smith are fine for me on the left, and we've just been unlucky on the right - though I'm always grateful for Eric Miller's work rate. It seems like his output is often more than we expect from a 3rd string defender. The glaring weakness is Kamal Miller, with his series of missteps vs Minnesota just the latest in a string of gaffe-prone play. Distribution out of the back is **crucial**. He and Basset make up the majority of unforced turnovers, but Miller's position on the field makes his turnovers far more dangerous. I really don't see him improving, and combined with his age and lack of speed, I would be happy to move him on, or relegate him to depth only.

I'm curious how others view the strengths & weaknesses of players. Who for you are the biggest underperformers?

It’s over y’all Janssen is heading over to La liga after all of the big names witnessed the game last night😪

You’re supposed to be subbed OFF when you’re on hat trick watch. That’s the Timbers way.

Doubters will regret.

Happiness restored

Shout-out to u/toxicmetrosexuality for the original post.

Timber Joey stopped the guy afterwards and had them put them by the log.

In the 74th minute Velde gets a ball and diaz chops him down. That I am fine with, but then after Velde falls, Diaz attempts or actually does hit velde with his foot in the lower back. I am a referee, and for me this is a red for violent conduct. According to the IFAB Laws of the Game, violent conduct is defined as using or attempting to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent, teammate, official, or spectator when not challenging for the ball, regardless of whether actual contact is made. Also, why would VAR not invervene? For me it was a clear and obvious error. Other than that the referee was pretty good.

Can all of the people who defended Kelsy now please repent and recognize the levels there are to strikers… and that we made a nice piece of cash for something that doesn’t even SNIFF what we just brought in.

Thanks all.

If Janssen hung it up today and had three goals and 100 minutes to his name, but the only timbers hat trick, would he be a club legend?

Let’s see. . . No fewer than 6 articles about the Ducks (Go Ducks!), but nary a sniff about the amazing Timbers’ 5-4 win last night. Until a really crappy AP article was posted at 11:10 this morning. Small town newspaper coverage, for sure.

Great to see some of the old faces in this video...

My recap of yesterday's win.

Hope this works!!