Ronald Hernandez is relishing the chance to face former club Atlanta United when the Portland Timbers welcome the Five Stripes to Providence Park this weekend. 

Hernandez joined Portland earlier this month after appearing 97 times in all competitions for Atlanta, having joined initially on loan in 2021 before making his stay permanent in 2022. 

The 28-year-old has played two league games for Portland, who find themselves eighth in the Western Conference but just two points above the chasing pack. 

Portland suffered a 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas last time out, with Logan Farrington and Joaquin Valiente on target, but Hernandez is hoping to put things right against Atlanta. 

When asked about his preparations for the upcoming game, Hernandez said, "Yeah, I am excited. Really looking forward to the game.

"Obviously, I know a lot about Atlanta, which is emotional for me. But when it comes down to business, it's all about the game. I have a lot of friends over there.

"That is the key thing about that, but I am focused on myself. I am focused on what we are preparing for during this week, with the coaches and staff.

"It's all about us, it's our home game in Providence Park with our fans, so I am really focused on us, rather than them."

Atlanta, meanwhile, have no new injury concerns ahead of their trip to Portland, but they arrive at Providence Park without a win in their last four league matches. 

The Five Stripes played out a goalless draw with D.C. United last time out, despite registering an expected goals (xG) total of 1.62 from their 20 shots at Sean Johnson's net. 

Gerardo Martino's side are 14th in the Eastern Conference and nine points adrift of FC Cincinnati in the final postseason spot, though the Atlanta boss is pleased to have his full squad available to him this weekend. 

"As I was saying on Tuesday, I think this was the first day we trained with a full squad," Martino said. 

"There's only nine matches left in the season. We feel like we have a complete team now.

"If the season was starting this weekend against Portland, then yes, we would have the full team."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – ​Kristoffer Velde

Velde has recorded 14 goal contributions at Providence Park this regular season (seven goals, seven assists), tied for fourth most at home in MLS in 2026.

Only Evander (20 in 2024) and Diego Valeri (20 in 2017, 17 in 2014) have recorded more home goal contributions in a single MLS season for Portland.

Atlanta United – Miguel Almiron

Since returning from the World Cup break, Almiron has been directly involved in 62 shots (31 shots, 31 chances created), tied for third most in MLS behind Lionel Messi (68) and Son Heung-Min (67).

Almiron is also the only player in MLS with 30 shots and 30 chances created since returning from the World Cup break.

MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN 

Despite being predicted to lose by the Opta supercomputer in its pre-match simulations, Atlanta have lost only one of its six all-time meetings with Portland (W3 D2), including winning the 2018 MLS Cup Final.

In all competitions, no MLS team has avoided defeat in a higher percentage of their matches against the Timbers than Atlanta (5/6 – 83.3%, min. 5 meetings).

Atlanta have also avoided defeat in six of their nine all-time matches in Cascadia (W3 D3), earning one win each in Portland, Seattle and Vancouver. Since the Five Stripes joined MLS in 2017, they are the only Eastern Conference team to win at least once at all three Cascadia opponents.

Portland, meanwhile, have both scored and conceded at least one goal in 12 straight matches, last being shut out on May 17 in Miami and last keeping a clean sheet on May 9 against Sporting Kansas City. This is the longest run of games both scoring and conceding at least once in MLS this season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 44%

Draw – 24.1%

Atlanta United – 31.9%