After two consecutive appearances the Seattle Sounders are not in the MLS Cup Final. Instead arch-nemesis Portland Timbers head to Atlanta where the Five-Stripes attempt to cap off their claim of being the best expansion team of all time.

Atlanta United FC will lose their coach and their #10 after the match. They may lose even more talent. Giovanni Savarese attempts to become the second lower division coach to win the title in his first season as an MLS coach, following Brian Schmetzer. Portland is attempting to win their second title with two Diegos in the midfield. Valeri and Chara are the engine on their side. AUFC have their single-season and single-year scoring leader ahead of central midfielder that will be in the EPL in January. Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron are their focal points.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Timbers: OUT: D - Roy Miller (right thigh injury), GK - Jake Gleeson (bilateral tibial stress fracture); QUESTIONABLE: F - Samuel Armenteros (thigh injury)

Five Stripes: OUT: D - Sal Zizzo (right knee injury), D - Mikey Ambrose (right knee surgery), F - Brandon Vazquez (foot injury), D - Chris McCann (left quad strain)

Alan Kelly is the center referee. His video assistant is Chris Penso.

Keys to enjoying the Game:

• Good TV ratings.
• Don’t get emotionally invested.
• Josef Martinez continuing history.
• A Liam Ridgewell own goal.

How I'm watching

Outfit: D&D shirt.

Scarf: Nope.

Where: Home.

How to Watch

Match date/time: December 8, 2018 at 5:00 PM Pacific

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, probably on Peach Tree Street/Avenue/Way/Boulevard

Online Streaming: Fox Sports Go, FuboTV

National English TV: FOX — 13/113

National Spanish TV: UniMás — 729 (Comcast), 408 (DirectTV)

Lineups

when available

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

This is MLS Cup 2018; watch with us