Valeri scores in 7th straight game as Timbers win on road

NEW YORK — Diego Valeri scored in his seventh straight game to tie the MLS record and help the Portland Timbers beat New York City FC 1-0 on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Valeri tied the goal mark set by Raul Diaz Arce in 1997 and matched by Wolde Harris in 2000 and Carlos Ruiz in 2006.

Valeri scored in the 44th minute. He has 17 goals this season.

The play started with Darren Mattocks’ takeaway from midfielder Andrea Pirlo deep in the NYCFC backfield. Pirlo complained for a penalty while Mattocks drove unchecked into the area. Valeri gathered Mattocks’ cross and smashed it into the left corner.

Valeri had a mostly open net in the 84th, but Sean Johnson scrambled to cover and blocked it over the post.

The Timbers (12-9-8) took first place in the Western Conference, moving two points ahead of the Seattle Sounders. Portland’s Mattocks and Vytautas Andriuskevicius left in the second half because of injuries.

NYC dropped to 15-8-5.

TIMBERS 1, NEW YORK CITY 0

Portland 1 0—1

New York City 0 0—0

First half—1, Portland, Valeri 17 (Mattocks), 44th minute.

Second half—None.

Goalies—New York City, Sean Johnson; Portland, Jeff Attinella.

Yellow Cards—Guzman, Portland, 22nd; Blanco, Portland, 27th; Sweat, New York City, 71st; Chara, Portland, 76th; Moralez, New York City, 88th; Valeri, Portland, 95th.

A—23,651 (28,940)

Lineups

Portland—Jeff Attinella; Zarek Valentin, Larrys Mabiala, Roy Miller, Vytautas Andriuskevicius (Lawrence Olum, 61st); Diego Chara, David Guzman, Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe (Jack Barmby, 86th); Darren Mattocks (Jeremy Ebobisse, 50th).

New York City—Sean Johnson; RJ Allen (Jonathan Lewis, 73rd), Frederic Brillant, Alexander Callens, Ben Sweat; Andrea Pirlo (Sean Okoli, 67th), Thomas McNamara, Khiry Shelton, Maximiliano Moralez, Rodney Wallace (John Stertzer, 83rd); Jack Harrison.