The New York Red Bulls (5-2-2, 17 pts.) return home to Red Bull Arena to take on the Portland Timbers (2-3-5, 11 pts.) on Saturday, May 7. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET with coverage on MSG+, MSG GO, and New York Red Bulls Radio in English and Spanish via TuneIn, the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
Get to know who the Red Bulls will be playing in their upcoming matchup.
How they’re doing
After a run to the 2021 MLS Cup Final, Portland started out the 2022 season strong with an unbeaten record after three matches, which included tough opponents like New England, LAFC, and Austin FC.
Since then, Portland has only recorded one win in their last seven matches. That win came in a 3-2 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps, who currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
There will be a familiar face to New York fans on the visiting team’s bench on Saturday, with Giovanni Savarese returning to the Metro area as Portland’s head coach.
Drafted by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the 9th round of the MLS Inaugural Player Draft, Savarese scored the first goal in club history in its inaugural match against the LA Galaxy on April 13, 1996.
Savarese spent three seasons with New York, setting the long-standing club record for career goals in league play at 41.
On December 18, 2017, Savarese was announced as the head coach of Portland. Since then, he has lead the Timbers to the playoff each year, and has lead them to the MLS Cup Final twice.
Savarese and Portland will look to get the offense going on Saturday against New York. The Timbers have not scored in three MLS league matches, while the Red Bulls have not conceded a goal from open play in three MLS league matches.
Head-to-Head History
There have been ten previous matchups between Portland and New York, with the Red Bulls leading the overall series 5-2-3.
The last match between the two came on September 19, 2019, which resulted in a 2-0 victory for New York.
The last time Portland beat New York was a 2-0 match on August 19, 2017
Who to Watch: Midfielder Yimmi Chara
Acquired via transfer as a Designated Player from Atlético Mineiro on January 2, 2020, Chara has been a mainstay with Portland, and has become one of their most dangerous threats in the attack.
So far this season, Chara has tallied three goals, three assists, and 18 total scoring attempts. All three of those totals lead the team.
He has been the consistent provider for Portland’s attack with 22 total attacking assists in 2022. The next highest total for Portland is 12.
Chara is also one to be creative around goal. He famously scored his first two goals of this MLS season with highlight reel-making bicycle kicks.
As the Red Bulls look to keep Portland’s goalless streak alive, Chara will be one of the main focuses of the defense.
