NYCFC Fall To Portland Timbers

Missing eight first-team players, New York City FC played their third match in nine days against the Portland Timbers in the Bronx on Military Appreciation Night. 

As the team looked to extend their unbeaten streak to 15 matches, Dome Torrent made two changes to the Starting XI, replacing injured duo Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Alexandru Mitriță with Ebenezer Ofori and Ben Sweat.

Both players, along with Tony Rocha, Héber, James Sands, and Joe Scally were unavailable for the match with injuries, while Sean Johnson and Alex Callens were competing at the Gold Cup and Copa America respectively.

Portland started strong, taking the lead on 14′.

Giovanni Savarese’s side earned a free kick which was curled in by Diego Valeri and finished off by Sebastian Blanco after NYC failed to clear.

As the hunt for the equalizer ensued, Ronald Matarrita, who made his return from international duty on Wednesday night, took a shot at goal from well outside the box on 28′. Unfortunately for City, Steve Clark was there to make the save.

Before the halftime, NYCFC earned a corner kick taken by Maxi Moralez in the 42’ minute, which was nearly converted by Taty Castellanos, but his near-post shot just flew the wrong side of the post.

NYCFC came out in the second half just as hungry for their first goal of the night and, in the 64th minute, they almost had it when Alex Ring took a shot on goal which deflected back to Castellanos on the rebound but – as he seemed to be all night – Clark was there to make the save.

Midweek goalscorer Jesus Medina was introduced from the bench to try and make an impact in the second half and the Paraguayan was lively and knitted together some promising moves – however, Portland had hunkered in deep by this stage and always seemed to have a man over to make a block or last ditch challenge.

NYCFC never gave up but they just couldn’t find a way through the Timbers low block. A late flurry of City corners came to nothing and Ted Unkel blew his whistle for a Portland win.

New York City FC: Brad Stuver; Anton Tinnerholm, Sebastien Ibeagha, Alex Ring, Maxime Chanot, Ben Sweat; Ebenezer Ofori, Keaton Parks; Maxi Moralez, Valentin Castellanos, Ronald Matarrita (68’ Jesus Medina)

SUBS UNUSED: Luis Barraza, Juan Pablo Torres, Danny Bedoya, Justin Haak

Portland Timbers: Steve Clark; Zarek Valentin, Larrys Mabiala, Claude Dielna, Marco Farfan; Andres Flores, Renzo Zambrano (76’ Diego Chara), Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri (89’ Marvin Loria), Dairon Asprilla (64’ Jeremy Ebobisse), Brian Fernandez

SUBS UNUSED: Kendall McIntosh, Jorge Moreira, Julio Cascante, Tomas Conechny