2017 MLS Match Preview: New York City FC vs. Portland Timbers

New York City FC vs. Portland Timbers 2017 MLS Match Preview Yankee Stadium  Bronx, N.Y. Saturday, September 9 – 5:30 p.m. ET 

A pair of contenders attempting to separate themselves from their respective conference packs meet Saturday in the Bronx, where New York City FC host the Portland Timbers. Each team enters carrying an undefeated streak, with Portland's three-game run (2-0-1) up against NYCFC's lengthier five-game spread (4-0-1), though each squad's run of good form dates further -- NYC have yet to drop consecutive results this year, and Portland haven't done so since June.

New York City already took out one Western Conference contender this week, knocking off Sporting Kansas City, 1-0, on Jack Harrison's 84th-minute strike. The goal marked Harrison's first since June 29, and if the young attacker begins to heat up, it could mean a shakeup in a Supporters' Shield race even Patrick Vieira conceded to Toronto FC. Don't buy it? They do in the NYCFC locker room.

As for Portland, their 1-1 draw against rival Seattle left them atop the Cascadia Cup standings and was the latest example of the Timbers being able to "hit their stride" -- at least, so says head coach Caleb Porter. Captain and playmaker Diego Valeri earned a Disciplinary Committee fine, but avoided suspension, which leaves him in full creative control for Saturday's match.

New York City FC

Projected Starting XI (4-3-3; left-to-right) GK: Sean Johnson  Ben Sweat, Alexander Callens, Frederic Brillant, Ethan White – Rodney Wallace, Yangel Herrera, Alex Ring - Maxi Moralez, David Villa, Jack Harrison

Notes: NYCFC are now unbeaten in 10 consecutive home league games (8W-2D). They are approaching the franchise regular season best mark of 11 games (9W-2D), set between June 18, 2016, and April 1, 2017...NYCFC lead MLS with 62 yellow cards this year.

Portland Timbers

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1; left-to-right) GK: Jeff Attinella  Vytas, Roy Miller, Larrys Mabiala, Zarek Valentin – Diego Chara, David Guzman – Darlington Nagbe, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco – Darren Mattocks

Notes: The Timbers have only won once in their last 11 MLS road games (6L-4D), dating back to April 29th. The Timbers have conceded in all 13 of these games, letting in 24 total goals...Sebastian Blanco is second in MLS with 51 fouls conceded this season.

All-Time Series

Referees

Referee: Ismail Elfath Assistant Referees: CJ Morgante, Jeff Muschik Fourth Official: Ted Unkel Video Assistant Referee: Geoff Gamble