New York City FC hope to extend an MLS-best unbeaten streak to 13 games, but to do so, they'll have to beat the Portland Timbers at Yankee Stadium for the first time in the Week 18 finale Sunday.
NYCFC (7-1-8) picked up a third consecutive win, and scored three unanswered goals in the second half for a second consecutive game, to defeat the Seattle Sounders, 3-0, at CenturyLink Stadium Wednesday night. Maxi Moralez opened the scoring in the 58th minute and has posted a goal or an assist in seven straight games, now the longest streak in MLS this season, totaling 6 goals and 8 assists during that stretch. Jesus Medina and Ebenezer Ofori followed with late goals 10 minutes apart.
The Timbers (6-8-2) rebounded from a 2-1 loss at Montreal to defeat FC Dallas, 1-0, last Sunday at Providence Park. Brian Fernandez scored the lone goal, in the 42nd minute, setting an MLS record by scoring a goal in his fifth consecutive league match to start a career.
New York City FC
Injury Report:
OUT: Joe Scally (D) - hip injury
OUT: James Sands (D) - broken arm
OUT: Tony Rocha (D) - hamstring injury
OUT: Heber (F) - hamstring injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Maxi Moralez (M), Maxime Chanot (D), Taty Castellanos (F), Alex Ring (M)
International duty: Alexander Callens (D), Sean Johnson (GK)
Portland Timbers
Injury Report:
OUT: Bill Tuiloma (D) - right thigh injury
QUESTIONABLE: Kendall McIntosh (GK) - left thigh injury
QUESTIONABLE: Zarek Valentin (D)- left thigh injury
QUESTIONABLE: Sebastian Blanco (M)- right lower leg
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Diego Chara (M)
International duty: Andy Polo (M)
Series Matchup at NYCFC
NYCFC: 0 wins, 0 goals
Timbers: 2 wins, 2 goals
0 draws
Officials
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: CJ Morgante, Brian Dunn
4th Official: Elvis Osmanovic
VAR: Tim Ford
Autore: Stefano Bentivogli
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