After back-to-back wins, New York City FC takes its three-game unbeaten streak to Portland for the second game of a three-game road trip Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (FOX Sports 1 |WFAN | WQBU | International)
It also begins another busy stretch for NYCFC, which plays three games in eight days, including a battle with Toronto FC at BMO Field next Wednesday before hosting the rival New York Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium May 21 at 3 p.m.
NYCFC (3-3-4), one of five teams in the league with at least two wins away from home, is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with 13 points from 10 matches, two points behind the Montreal Impact.
The club is coming off a 2-0 win over D.C. United at RFK Stadium Sunday, its second clean sheet of the season.
“I feel like the team is very motivated and we have a game coming up against Portland,” Ronald Matarrita said. “Our dynamic has been very good after two big games. I think that we have to keep up this level of play and having a great game in Portland to get three more points is very important for us.”
Portland (3-5-3) is currently ninth in the Western Conference with 12 points and is coming off back-to-back 2-1 losses, including a defeat at FC Dallas on Wednesday night. Diego Valeri put the visitors in front on three minutes, but the Timbers conceded a pair of goals in a two-minute span early in the second half to fall at Toyota Stadium.
NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira warns that the defending MLS Cup champions are still a dangerous club despite its current struggles.
“Winning the last two games is really good for our mind,” Vieira said. “It will be another tough, difficult match. We’re playing a team who won the league last year, who are not in their best period of the moment. But that means nothing.”
A year ago, NYCFC dropped a 1-0 decision to the Portland Timbers on April 19 at Yankee Stadium in their lone meeting.
Broadcast: FOX Sports 1 | WFAN | WQBU | International
