Portland Timbers Lose 2-1 Again, This Time to New York City FC

The Portland Timbers lost their third match in a row, going down 2-1 to New York City FC in a frustrating match that saw the side's injuries continue to mount.

Things took an unfortunate turn in the 12th minute as Darlington Nagbe and NYC fullback RJ Allen came together along the Timbers' left touch line. Nagbe got to the ball first and tried to touch it over his opponent, only for Allen to trap the ball between his arm and body as Nagbe went by him. With the ball falling to his feet, Allen hit a perfectly curled pass through the Timbers' defense, finding the run of NYC forward David Villa. One on one with Jake Gleeson, Villa did what he has done over 300 times in his career: tucked the ball home in the back of the net.

Now down a goal at home, the Timbers pushed forward over and over looking for the equalizer. Holding the bulk of the possession, the Timbers peppered the NYC goal with shots, taking 15 in the first half alone.

As the second half opened up, the Timbers kept the pressure on NYC and, in the 55th, it paid off. Darlington Nagbe got on the ball in the midfield and found Fanendo Adi down the pitch with a quick pass. With room to run, Adi charged at the NYC back line and, after looking off his man, hit a hard shot that skipped off a defender and over Saunders to even the score.

After the goal, however, Adi was forced to come off by a hamstring knock, killing the Timbers momentum and allowing NYC back into the match. After only ten minutes, the visitors were back in the lead as Thomas McNamara fired them in front in the 65th minute. Getting the ball at the top of the Timbers' box, McNamara sent a curling ball up and over Jake Gleeson, picking out the upper ninety for the go-ahead goal.

The Timbers would fight their way back into the match, controlling the ball for long stretches of the second half, but the equalizer was not to be found, giving the Timbers their third 2-1 loss in a row.

The Timbers host the Vancouver Whitecaps next Sunday at Providence Park.