The New York Red Bulls will face the Portland Timbers for the first and only time this season on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. EDT and the match will be broadcast on ESPN.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 13-8-6, 45 points, second place in the Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: Loss, 2-1 vs. New England Revolution
- Record in Last Five Matches: 3-2-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (14)
- Assist Leader: Sacha Kljestan (10)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (64)
Portland Timbers
- Record: 11-9-8, 41 points, sixth place in the Western Conference
- Previous Match: Draw, 0-0 vs. Sporting KC
- Record in Last Five Matches: 2-1-2
- Leading Goal Scorer: Fanendo Adi (10)
- Assist Leader: Diego Valeri (6)
- Saves Leader: Adam Kwarasey (65)
Scouting Portland
Playing the Timbers at Providence Park has proved difficult for every team this season. They hold the longest active home unbeaten streak in the league, a streak of 10 consecutive matches that begun May 2. They have only lost at home once this season and have an overall home record of 7-1-6, with eight of those matches as shutouts. Goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey leads the league with 12 shutouts overall.
Although they were held to a scoreless draw against Sporting KC on Sept. 9, the Timbers have taken the second-highest amount of shots (397) and the sixth-highest amount of shots on goal (135) in the league this season. This attacking style of play comes from their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, and they can be expected to continue pushing forward in order to hold on to their Western Conference playoff spot.
The Red Bulls can expect to play in front of a sold out crowd, as Portland have sold out every home game since their MLS debut.
Players to Watch
Portland’s two key playmakers have been midfielder Diego Valeri and forward Fanendo Adi. Valeri has two goals and six assists this season, and had the chance to record three more assists against Sporting KC in their last match. In that same match, Adi took three of their seven shots on goal, hoping to add to his tally of 10 total for the season.
For New York, Sacha Kljestan has stolen the spotlight recently with an impressive run of form. With four goals and seven assists in the past nine league matches, he has unmistakably been a key to the Red Bulls’ midfield in the second half of the season. With Dax McCarty suspended on Sunday due to yellow card accumulation, Kljestan also has the chance to step into a stronger leadership role on the field. Mike Grella could serve dangerous as well, scoring one goal in his last two matches, including his wonder-strike against New England. This brought his goal tally to seven for the season, tied with Lloyd Sam as second most on the team.
