In an early battle of worst versus first, New York City FC will seek their first points of the 2024 MLS season when they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Last Saturday, the Pigeons suffered a 2-0 defeat at St Louis City, and they currently sit dead-last in the Eastern Conference, while the Timbers are first in the West following a 2-2 draw versus DC United.
Match preview
The 2024 campaign for the Pigeons was supposed to be a resurgence of sorts, but so far, we have seen much of the same disappointments from a year ago.
New York City made a point to add some proven attacking quality and creativity, but neither have delivered in the early going, with the Boys in Blue failing to score in their opening two domestic affairs.
There could be a lot of heat on manager Nick Cushing if they cannot turn things around soon, with the Pigeons on the brink of matching their longest losing run from a season ago (three) should they suffer another defeat on Saturday.
During the 2023 regular season, this team only suffered one defeat at Yankee Stadium (3-1 versus FC Cincinnati) but only won one of their final seven domestic fixtures in the Bronx (2-0 over CF Montreal).
While it has been a while since they have claimed three points at Yankee Stadium, the Boys in Blue ended the 2023 MLS campaign on a six-match unbeaten run at home, winning their final three home fixtures played in Queens (two) and Harrison, New Jersey (one), respectively.
NYCFC have not gone three consecutive matches without scoring a goal in league play since failing to score in four successive MLS fixtures from late September to early October 2021.
After missing the playoffs for a second successive campaign last season, it has been a positive beginning to the new MLS campaign for Portland.
Under new manager Phil Neville, the Timbers have scored six goals in two matches, the first time in club history they have begun a campaign by netting multiple times in their opening two encounters.
Neville has found some solid attacking balance within this group in the early stages of the 2024 domestic campaign, with four players scoring at least once and five involved in at least one goal.
In 2023, the Portland Timbers had a mere two triumphs away from home in this competition, tied for the fewest in the Western Conference.
Last season, they conceded three or more goals in seven regular season affairs away from Providence Park, while suffering five road defeats by three or more goals.
Portland have a 100% away record versus NYCFC, failing to concede a single goal to the Boys in Blue in their three previous visits to Yankee Stadium in this competition.
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Team News
The Pigeons will be without veteran James Sands this weekend following his straight red card in the latter stage of their defeat to St Louis, while Talles Magno missed that encounter with a sore knee and Maxi Moralez is still recovering from a right knee injury.
Rio Hope-Gund has an issue in his abdomen, and Tayvon Gray will be a question mark, with the Jamaican still suffering from a leg injury.
Agustin Ojeda made his first MLS appearance last weekend, Andres Perea made his first regular-season appearance of 2024 and Jovan Mijatovic is seeking his first start for NYCFC, replacing Keaton Parks in the latter stages last weekend.
The Timbers could be without Evander on Saturday after he missed their previous match with a sore left foot, while Felipe Mora has a right foot injury.
In addition to that, it is unlikely the Timbers will have Marvin Loria or Claudio Bravo available as they are both recovering from left knee injuries.
Santiago Moreno notched his 11th career goal for Portland last weekend, while Dairon Asprilla also scored against DC United, as the 31-year-old now has at least one goal in nine of his 10 seasons with the club, equalling Diego Valeri for the most seasons with at least one goal in franchise history.
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O'Toole; Parks, Perea; Fernandez, Rodriguez, Wolf; Bakrar
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Mosquera, McGraw, K. Miller, E. Miller; Moreno, Paredes, Chara, Anthony; Fogaca, Asprilla
We say: New York City FC 0-1 Portland Timbers
Confidence is quite low with New York City FC at the moment, and seeing one of your most experienced players in Sands lose their cool seems to reflect how everyone at the club is probably feeling at the moment: frustrated.
The Timbers, on the other hand, have shown to be a potent side in the attacking third so far in 2024, and we believe that, combined with the lack of chance creation on the NYCFC side of things, will enable Portland to maintain their 100% away record against the Pigeons.
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