Can this time the Portland Timbers take advantage of NYCFC struggles?

(10) Portland Timbers (5,8,6, 21 points) vs (12) New York City FC (4,7,8, 20 points)

Saturday June 24, 2023 KO 7:30 PM PST/ 10:30 PM EST

Providence Park, Portland, Oregon

Portland Timbers Briefly

Wow! With the Chicago Fire in town and not being able to get a win in their own home turf tells me a lot of this club’s struggles in 2023, not able to lift its campaign for the better.

Why the dependence on one single player as many stated that Evander wasn’t on his night, but still managed to put a play or two that could turn the game around in both halves until his substitution.

Is Sebastian Blanco readying for retirement? It certainly looks like it, as the man is making himself comfortable as a substitute coming in the final minutes of the second half, pity the monies this player is making.

When will Gio start making some bold moves in his lineup and give the opportunity to young players, such as Noel Caliskan, Tyler Gregg, or Diego Gutierrez? Maybe one of these lads can get lucky, I must say!

Can this season be salvaged? Last night, the Portland Timbers outshot the Fire, 17-12, and 5-3 in shots on goal and still couldn’t managed to beat the arches defended by Chicago’s keeper who rose to the occasion.

At least we have a positive as Franck Boli, who scored his fifth goal of the season and the man is finding his way to score goals and without any doubt. He can post double digit numbers by the end of this season.

My worries are with Dairon Aspirilla not being able to score lately as well the lack of consistency of Santiago Moreno. At times, he’s amazing and another he simply doesn’t perform as expected.

The team needs to be on the same page and not surrender valuable points at home as last night’s loss really hurt their chances of making it into the postseason after Vancouver without playing last night displaced Portland from ninth place.

What’s wrong with this club lacking consistency, determination and a winning ambition? Every position is well covered with every player not being able to make any efforts in turning their season around.

Picture Credit New York City F.C.

NYCFC Briefly

A bumpy ride for current Sky Blues manager Nick Cushing coming with an impressive winning record since his time in Manchester City managing the Women’s team.

With the club currently running below the postseason spots and missing a good number of those notable players that brought this club its first MLS Cup, Cushing hasn’t been able to turn things around in the Big Apple.

The team is running in 12^th place and with back-to-back draws, the results aren’t that bad but if they could manage a few wins under their belt, we could see them in the top spots.

In their last meeting against Atlanta United in Atlanta, the American version of the Sky Blues got a good result and that’s what they are looking for at least rescue a point and not surrender with a loss to any team.

Meetings

12/11/2021 Portland Timbers 1-1 NYCFC (NYCFC wins the MLS Cup 4-2 on PK’S)

08/01/2020 NYCFC 1-3 Portland Timbers

07/07/2019 NYCFC 0-1 Portland Timbers

Forecast

Can the Portland Timbers take advantage of a struggling club and their home field advantage?