Early Pre-Match Report...
NYCFC Disciplinary: None. And no players are one yellow card away from accumulation suspension.
NYCFC Injury Report: Matarrita, Chanot, White, and Lopez are still out. Villa cleared his medical tests and his status will be determined based on his ability in training. Ring also suffered a toe injury during the international break and he is also a question mark.
Portland Disciplinary: None.
Portland Injury Report: Adi, Ridgewell, and Gleeson are all out for this match. (Source:
https://articles.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2017/09/portland_timbers_players_liam_2.amp). Moreover, per MLSsoccer.com Myers and Arokoyo are also out based on long term injuries.
NYCFC's new signee Andraz Struna may be available on Saturday pending the status of his P1 visa. If acquired, he would could fill in in the starting 11 at RB or more likely be a bench option depending on his time spent with the club in training.
We saw James Sands make his first appearance to the NYCFC 18 (err, 17) on Wednesday. With players coming back, does his see the 18 again on Saturday?
Aside from Villa and Ring who are unknowns, Herrera and Wallace will come back into the lineup. Wallace served his yellow card accumulation suspension during Wednesday's 1-0 win vs. SKC.
Portland currently sit in 2nd in the West with 41 points over 28 games, 1.46 PPG. Their road record is 3-7-4 (W-L-T). NYCFC lost the initial meeting at Yankee Stadium in 2015, 1-0. Then went on the road and gained a victory over a 2-1 featuring a masterclass ball from RJ to Villa and astute defending by Jason Hernandez.
FiveThirtyEight puts a NYCFC win at 54%, Portland win at 24%, and a 22% of a draw.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
New York City FC v Portland Timbers
Yankee Stadium (5:30PM ET)
REF: ISMAIL ELFATH
AR1: CJ Morgante
AR2: Jeff Muschik
4TH: Ted Unkel
VAR: Geoff Gamble
Elfath previously refereed our 3-1 win vs. Atlanta where 5 yellows were shown (1-NYC, 4-ATL).