Despite battling injuries to key players in recent weeks, New York City FC has been in top form and will look to build on their club record five-match unbeaten run against the Portland Timbers.
Where: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, New York
When: Saturday, 9/9 at 5:30 pm ET
How to Watch: MLS Live
Match Overview:
New York City FC has been absolutely dominant over their past six weeks despite their recent injury struggles, recording four wins and one draw over their last five matches.
However, if they want to extend their club-record unbeaten run, NYCFC must find a way to score without David Villa in the starting XI. The Spanish international was sorely missed earlier this week, as the Boys in Blue were only able to score a single goal without him on the pitch against Sporting Kansas City. The Pigeons will need to show better composure in front of goal if they hope to keep pace with the offensive firepower of their opponents.
The Boys in Blue will have their hands full against an explosive Portland Timbers club that is just as offensively strong as they are. The Timbers currently lead the Western Conference in goals scored with 48 in 27 total matches, an impressive 19 of which have come on the road. However, despite their offensive firepower, the Timbers haven’t fared well away from home. Portland has conceded 28 goals in 14 matches away from Providence Park and they haven’t recorded a road win since their April 29th victory over FC Dallas.
However, despite their offensive firepower, the Timbers haven’t fared well away from home. Portland has conceded 28 goals in 14 matches away from Providence Park and they haven’t recorded a road win since their April 29 victory over FC Dallas.
Three Keys to the Match:
- Make Diego Valeri a Non-Factor: No player in Portland’s starting XI is more dangerous than attacking midfielder Diego Valeri. The Argentinian international has excellent field vision and is incredibly dangerous when he has the ball at his feet, leading the club in both goals and assists on the year. If the Boys in Blue want to come away with all three points Saturday night, the Argentinian needs to be accounted for at all times.
- Win the Midfield Battle: Even if Valeri is rendered a non-factor, Portland’s midfield is absolutely stacked with quality talent that needs to be accounted for. Darlington Nagbe and Sebastián Blanco are dangerous out on the wing while Diego Chara and David Guzman are strong enforcers in the middle of the field. The Boys in Blue need to be sharp with their passes and avoid midfield turnovers to limit the strong counter-attacking Timbers.
- Keep Shape at the Back: Due to injuries, NYCFC will field the same back four of Ben Sweat, Alexander Callens, Frederic Brillant and R.J. Allen that played against Sporting Kansas City earlier in the week. While Sporting Kansas City has been relatively toothless on the road, Portland is a completely different story. The Timbers have one of the best road scoring accounts in the league and they have several players capable of putting the ball in the back of the net at all times. The defense will need to keep their shape and effectively communicate to keep NYCFC in the match.
Player to Watch: Jack Harrison
There other players worth keeping an eye on in this match, but every fan should definitely pay attention to Jack Harrison Saturday night. After over two months without finding the back of the net, the second-year man out of Wake Forest ended his goal drought against Sporting Kansas City Wednesday night.
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It’s too early to assume that Harrison is in goalscoring form again. However, the Timbers should serve as a good litmus test to see if his game-winner is a sign of better things to come. If he’s able to find the back of the net for the second consecutive match, NYCFC will have finally found the goal threat they need to rely on until David Villa returns to the pitch.
Official Overview: Ismail Elfath
Ismail Elfath is a well-established veteran official with 97 career matches under his belt, including 15 games refereed this season. Unfortunately, Elfath’s track record doesn’t bode well for the flow of the match.
The six-year veteran referee is quick to blow the whistle and is especially harsh with his cards. In 15 matches officiated this season, Elfath averages 27 total fouls per match and has given out seven red cards on the season so far. Unless the game is abnormally clean, it’s safe to expect plenty of stoppages and the occasional questionable yellow card.
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Prediction: New York City FC 2 – Portland Timbers 2
There’s bound to be plenty of fireworks considering how much offensive firepower these two clubs boast. The Timbers are bound to break through the NYCFC defense at least once thanks to the patchwork nature of the backline. Portland’s tendency to concede on the road, on the other hand, bodes well for NYCFC’s chances of finding the back of the net themselves.
It may not be another win that many fans are hoping for, but getting a point out of the match while keeping the club’s unbeaten run intact will be a victory in and of itself.