New York City FC seeks to stay unbeaten at Portland
New York City FC will look to preserve its unbeaten start to the season in one of the league's most hostile environments when they visit the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
After going 5-0-2 in their opening seven matches, NYCFC are one of only two unbeaten sides left in MLS and one of just 12 teams in MLS history to play at least seven games to start a season without defeat.
They've done so while absorbing short-term injuries to star forward David Villa, who scored his 399th career goal last Sunday against Atlanta United, and breakout performer Ismael Tajouri-Shradi. And they've already proven themselves capable of pulling off results on long-distance trips, winning in Kansas City and San Jose so far.
"I think we have a really good squad that allows me to rotate players if they are injured or out of form," says NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira. "We came early to give ourselves the best way to prepare for the game. It's an important game for us, and we want to give ourselves the best chance to keep our form."
Tajouri-Shradi remains out with a hamstring injury, but Vieira's squad is otherwise as healthy as it's been all season. That includes leading offensive producer Maximiliano Moralez, who has scored four goals and added two assists.
Vieira's range of weapons will provide a formidable challenge for coach Giovanni Savarese's Portland Timbers, who are coming off their first win of the season last week in what was their first home game.
The Timbers had gone 0-3-2 while opening the season with five games on the road before finally returning to Providence Park to defeat Minnesota United 3-2.
Striker Fanendo Adi got his first goal of the season in that game, one the Timbers controlled before Minnesota closed the deficit late.
In his first year at Portland, Savarese has tried to install a high-pressure defensive approach. But he knows his team will have to be selective as to when to use it on Sunday against New York City.
"They are a possession-based team," Savarese said. "Mobile, dynamic with quick ball movement. So we have to be smart in how we're going to pressure."
--Field Level Media
