A packed Providence Park witnessed a thrilling back-and-forth affair on Sunday night, but it was New York City FC who captured their third consecutive victory.

NYCFC defeated the Portland Timbers 2-1, after Tommy McNamara stunned the away crowd n the 65th minute. The 25-year-old has made it a habit of scoring high-quality goals from distance and proved that with his game-winner.

The road side first broke through 12 minutes into the match when RJ Allen intercepted the ball from Darlington Nagbe at the halfway line. After the right back won possession, Allen played a long through ball into the path of Villa, who placed the ball into the far post beyond goalkeeper Jake Gleeson.

While there was a question of a handball when Allen obtained the ball near midfield, referee Hilario Grajeda opted to play on.

The Timbers pressed hard for an equalizer and found a goal after halftime by way of Fanendo Adi. The striker, who later exited the match with an apparent hamstring, leveled the scoreline at 1-1 in the 55th minute after Nagbe found the striker near goal.

Sunday’s defeat marks the third straight defeat for the Timbers, all of which came in closely-contested 2-1 score-lines.

NYCFC returns to the field Wednesday night when they travel to Toronto FC, before meeting rival New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The Timbers will take their home field again next Sunday, when they host Vancouver Whitecaps.

 

MAN OF THE MATCH

While the attack was strong for NYCFC, Jason Hernandez came up huge for the team’s backline. The veteran centerback was all over the place on defense, throwing his body in front of five Timbers shots.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Once the Timbers tied the match after halftime it seemed like the home side would bring home all three points, but Tommy McNamara‘s curling finish from distance changed that.

MATCH TO FORGET

The Timbers backline collapsed at two critical junctures, although the first goal allowed was certainly questionable. While Villa’s goal likely shouldn’t have counted, Nat Borchers was late stepping up on McNamara’s winner.