MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Notch First Clean Sheet in 2018 with 3-0 Win over New York City FC

Published on April 22, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Playing at home for a second consecutive week, the Portland Timbers defeated New York City FC 3-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park, recording their first clean sheet of the season and second straight win at home. Scoring in both halves, Portland found goals from three different players, with midfielder Sebastián Blanco recording his team-leading fourth goal, forward Fanendo Adi scoring for a second straight week and defender Larrys Mabiala tallying his first career goal with the Timbers.

Facing New York City FC

With a win 3-0 win in Sunday's match, the Timbers recorded their second straight win against New York City FC, extending their record in the regular-season series to 3-1-0 in four matches played against the Eastern Conference side. Additionally, Portland's 3-0 win marked the first time New York City FC has been held scoreless in its last 14 regular-season matches. Overall, NYCFC has only been shut out only twice in its last 22 matches in all competitions, both against the Timbers (Sept. 9, 2017, April 22, 2018).

Home Form

Sunday's win marked Portland's 25th win at home since the start of the 2016 season, which ranks tied as the most in MLS in that span. Additionally, with a three-goal performance in the win, the Timbers have scored the most goals (79) at home during that stretch. The 3-0 victory also marked Portland's eighth consecutive win at home in league play, setting a new club record in MLS play.

Timbers milestone

Midfielder Diego Valeri recorded an assist for a third straight game in Sunday's win, marking the first time Valeri has recorded an assist in three straight games since the 2015 season. With the assist, Valeri now has the most assists (56) in club history across all eras (since 1975), surpassing John Bain.

Key plays

Three minutes into the game, Portland produced its first chance of the game on a counter attack when Blanco intercepted the ball in the middle of the field, driving at the New York City FC defense, before blasting an attempt high of the target.

Blanco came close to scoring again just two minutes later when midfielder Andrés Flores played a diagonal ball into the box to Blanco, who was unmarked at the back post, with the midfielder pulling his effort just wide of the target in the fifth minute of play.

At the quarter hour mark, the Timbers produced back-to-back chances through midfielder Diego Valeri, with the Argentine having a close-range effort deflected wide by a last-ditch challenge, before hitting a volley high of the target from inside the box in the 15th minute.

Following several near chances, the Timbers opened the scoring through Blanco in the 26th minute of play. The midfielder found the back of the net for the fourth time this season after Flores clipped a cross into the box, with Blanco rising above his defender to produce a looping header into the far corner.

Moments before halftime, the Timbers added a second goal when Adi recorded his second finish in as many matches. Adi was able to convert after Valeri's low, driven shot was saved by goalkeeper Sean Johnson, with the striker reacting quickly to tap in the rebound in the 38th minute.

The Timbers added a third and final goal in the 67th minute when Mabiala scored his first career MLS goal. The goal took place after Valeri's corner kick into the box found the defender for a powerful header from the edge of the six-yard box. With the assist on Mabiala's debut goal, Valeri now has the most assists (56) in club history across all eras (since 1975).

Notes:

Sunday's game marked the 127th consecutive sellout for the Timbers at Providence Park.

- The Timbers have never lost (8-0-3) at Providence Park against a team that entered the match week alone at the top of the MLS standings.

Dating back to last season, Portland has won eight consecutive home regular-season matches, which surpasses a club record in MLS play originally set Aug.7, 2016-March 18, 2017.

Portland has scored in 15 straight matches at home, dating back to the 2017 season.

- Portland recorded its first clean sheet of the season, while NYCFC was held scoreless for the first time in its last 14 regular-season matches. NYCFC has only been shut out twice in its last 22 matches in all competitions, both against the Timbers.

- Sebastián Blanco scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

- Fanendo Adi now has two goals in 2018 and has scored in consecutive matches for Portland. In his last seven home games, Adi has scored six goals.

- Larrys Mabiala scored his first goal as a member of the Timbers.

Diego Valeri was credited with a team-leading third assist in the match.

- For the first time since the 2015 season, Valeri has had an assist in three consecutive matches.

- Andrés Flores recorded his second assist of the season. Flores has had an assist in each of his two starts this season.

- Alvas Powell recorded his second assist of the season. For the first time in his Timbers career, Powell has had an assist in consecutive matches.

- In Liam Ridgewell's last 19 home regular-season starts, the Timbers are 17-0-2 with 47 goals for and 14 goals against.

- Jeff Attinella made his first start of the season for Portland. In his eight career starts for the Timbers at Providence Park, Attinella is 7-0-1.

Next game

Next up, the Timbers will travel to face the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on Saturday, May 5. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), the May 5 match will televised live on FOX 12 Plus (KPDX) with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Portland Timbers (2-3-2, 8pts) vs. New York City FC (5-1-2, 17pts)

April 22, 2018 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

New York City FC 0 0 0

Portland Timbers 2 1 3

Scoring Summary:

POR: Blanco (Flores, Powell), 26

POR: Adi, 38

POR: Mabiala (Valeri), 66

Misconduct Summary:

NYC: Ring (Caution), 63

NYC: Callens (Caution), 90+2

Lineups:

POR: GK Attinella, D Powell, D Mabiala, D Ridgewell, D Valentin, M Flores (Asprilla, 90+4), M Paredes, M Chara, M Blanco, M Valeri © (Polo, 78), F Adi (Armenteros, 85)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Gleeson, D Cascante, D Farfan, M Olum

TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Valeri, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players tied, 1); FOULS: 6 (Valeri, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 3

NYC: GK Johnson, D Tinnerholm, D Matarrita (McNamara, 71), D Chanot, D Callens, M Ofori (Herrera, 78), M Ring, M Moralez, F Wallace (Medina, 60), F Villa, F Berget

Substitutes Not Used: GK Stuver, D Sweat, D Ibeagha, D Abdul-Salaam

TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Tinnerholm, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Three players tied, 1); FOULS: 16 (Callens, 4); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 1

Referee: Ted Unkel

Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Michael Kampmeninert

4th Official: Nima Saghafi

VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.

Attendance: 21,144

Weather: Sunny, 58 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

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