With all the rumors circulating in New York right now about a new soccer specific stadium being built to house New York City Football Club in the Bronx it is easy to lose site of the really impressive streak being created. NYCFC is undefeated through seven games and will be looking to extend their best start in club history this weekend against a tough Portland Timbers team. The game promises to be a hard fought match up on the road in a rowdy atmosphere. Fans of both teams could be rewarded with several goals in the outing.
NYCFC has been on a tear scoring multiple goals in every game this season. The team will look to repeat the output on Sunday despite having top goal scorer, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, sidelined with a hamstring injury he suffered in last weekend’s match up against Atlanta United. Shradi was replaced by David Villa in that game who has been working back from injury himself. The insertion of Villa back into the line up should keep the potent offense alive for City. Villa will likely start up front with Jesus Medina and Jo Inge Berget. That same trio proved effective in Atlanta scoring a goal almost immediately after Vila came on. City will look to attack quickly and effectively both building out of the back and capitalizing on turn overs for a quick break away. Alexander Ring and Maxi Morales, have played like men on fire in the midfield and Portland will be hard pressed to slow down such an effective and potent attack. NYCFC can score from almost any position on the pitch and their depth at every position is truly impressive.
Portland are off to a tougher start sitting second to last in the Western Conference with one win, two draws and three losses to their name. They have true players of quality, however, and will look to build off last weekend’s win at home against Minnesota. It was the first win at the club for coach Giovanni Savarese. Diego Valeri, Alvas Powell, and Fanendo Adi all notched the goalpost in that game and those three players will be key to Portland’s attack against NYCFC. City have more clean sheets than any other team in the league right now and Portland will have to capitalize on any weakness in City’s defense to hope to pull points from the game. The Timbers have not kept a clean sheet this season and will need to score to keep up with NYCFC.
The added factor in this game is the atmosphere. Providence Park is one of the the best places in MLS to see a game. The Portland fan base turns out for their team and the environment causes problems for any visiting team. NYCFC have some experience with getting results, however, having just taken a point in Atlanta and winning in Portland last year. This should be a pulsating affair and exciting match up. NYCFC have the talent to come away with at least a point, if not all three, but in Portland anything is possible.
