NYCFC 1, Portland Timbers 1 - Instant Reaction
Timbers claw their way back from 1-0 deficit away from home, remain top of the Western Conference heading into matchday 4.
The Portland Timbers (2-1-0) secure all three points away from home after a disastrous first half of play, defeating 2-1 NYCFC (0-0-3) to extend their unbeaten start to the season to three games.
The Timbers began the match having won all three of their previous visits to Yankee Stadium by a score of 1-0, but with head coach Phil Neville having never won a match in the Bronx.
But their chance to continue that streak almost looked out-of-reach within the opening 10 minutes of the match, when Santi Rodriguez scored NYCFC’s first goal of 2024 to give the hosts the 1-0 lead. What ensued for the remainder of the first half could only be described as a defensive disaster-class from Portland, allowing an xG of 1.6 off of four shots on goal.
Zac McGraw had one of his shakiest performances in a Timbers kit, making two mistakes that led to direct chances for NYCFC and picking up a yellow card in the Without Crepeau, the match could have easily been out of reach for the Timbers before the halftime whistle blew.
At the break, NYCFC led 1-0.
The Timbers came out of the break looking markedly better than they did heading in to it, pinning NYCFC deep in their own half for the better part of 30 minutes through controlled possession and their high-press.
Dairon Asprilla attempted a bicycle kick (that he completely missed) in the 52nd minute, and Nathan Fogaca had a great chance from a counter attack that he sent directly at ‘keeper Matt Freese in the 73rd minute, but the Timbers couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities despite being the better team in the second half…
…Until they did…
In the 85th minute, Antony stepped up to equalize the match with a powerful finish into the roof of the net - his third of the season after an opening day brace against the Colorado Rapids. Juan Mosquera recorded his second assist of the season on the goal - cutting a hard, low cross back into the box that Antony slammed into the net.
And in the 7th minute of second half stoppage-time, Evander stepped up to send a screamer into the top corner of the net. A goal of the week candidate to see the Timbers remain top of the west on seven points after three games, some way to announce his return to action.
The match finished 2-1 to Portland.
Scoring Summary
NYCFC: Rodriguez (10’)
POR: Antony (85’), Evander (90+7’)
Next Up:
The Timbers will travel to Houston on matchday four for their second consecutive away match, with kickoff against the Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium scheduled for 5:30pm Pacific on March 16.
Better check that title 🤣
Last minute wins are fun, but "Evander bails the Timbers out at the death with a wonderstrike" is not a repeatable skill. This game was a dirge for the most part, and Phil still has a whole lot of work to do to make this team a cohesive unit.
I'll take the points, on to the next, but this was a largely forgettable game, bordering on unwatchable for large stretches, and just showed how much work there still is to be done on this squad.