MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Yankee Stadium (New York City)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 70 degrees
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistant Referees: CJ Morgante, Jeff Muschik
Fourth Official: Ted Unkel
VAR: Geoff Gamble
LOCAL TV: ROOT SPORTS
Talent: Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Ross Smith (analyst), Samantha Yarock (sideline reporter)
English Radio: KXL 101.1 FM
Talent: Keith Bleyer (play-by-play), Brett Jacobs (analyst),Tom Kolker (host)
Spanish Radio: La GranD (KGGD 93.5 FM, 1150 AM)
Talent: Josue del Castillo (play-by-play), Oscar Ramos (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
The Portland Timbers will return to league play this weekend, traveling to face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9. Beginning at 2:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match against NYCFC will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS with local radio broadcasts on KXL 101.1 FM (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish). Entering Saturday’s match, the Timbers have only lost once in their last seven games (4-1-2), most recently coming off a 1-1 road draw against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Aug. 27. New York City FC enter Saturday’s match sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points. Coming into the match, NYCFC is unbeaten in its last five league games, producing four wins and a draw, dating back to Aug. 6.
LAST MATCH RECAP
The Portland Timbers battled Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC to a 1-1 draw before 51,796 fans at CenturyLink Field on Aug. 27.
Midfielder Diego Valeri produced the Timbers goal in the match, converting from the penalty spot late in the first half to score for a sixth straight game.
LAST TIME VS. NEW YORK CITY FC
Despite holding a 24-12 edge in shots and maintaining 61 percent possession, the Portland Timbers fell 2-1 to New York City FC before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on May 15.
ALL-TIME SERIES NOTES
Saturday’s match marks the third all-time meeting between Portland and New York City FC, with both teams splitting results in the previous two matches. In the Timbers’ only match played at Yankee Stadium on April 19, 2015, Portland took a 1-0 clean-sheet win on the road. Midfielder Dairon Asprilla scored the game-winning goal. In the only meeting between the two teams in 2016, NYCFC responded with a 2-1 win at Providence Park, with David Villa and Thomas McNamara each scoring in the victory. Timbers forward Fanendo Adi recorded the lone goal for the home side, finding the back of the net in the 55th minute.
SCOUTING NEW YORK CITY FC
New York City FC enters Saturday’s match sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points through 27 games played, including a 1-0 home victory against Sporting Kansas City midweek. Coming into the match, NYCFC is unbeaten in its last five league games, producing four wins and a draw, dating back to Aug. 6. Additionally, NYCFC ranks, along with the Timbers, among MLS leaders in goals scored with 49 goals this season. Forward David Villa leads the team with a league-high 19 goals.
