Sebastian Blanco, Fanendo Adi and Larrys Mabiala scored and the Portland Timbers ended New York City FC's season-opening undefeated streak at seven games with a 3-0 victory Sunday.

New York City had won five matches and tied two and was the only Eastern Conference team without a loss going into the weekend.

New York City FC and Portland finished on top of their respective conferences in 2017, but the teams' 2018 campaigns have gotten off to very different starts.

Alexander Ring scored his first MLS goal to help New York City FC to a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United on Sunday night.

David Villa, playing his second match after a three-game absence with a quadriceps injury, had a goal and an assist for New York City (5-0-2).

The two teams on top of the Eastern Conference table will collide when unbeaten New York City FC visits Atlanta United on Sunday for an early season battle between contenders in good form at raucous Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

NEW YORK (AP) Ismael Tajouri, Maximiliano Moralez and Jo Inge Berget scored first-half goals and undefeated New York City FC beat Real Salt Lake for the first time, 4-0 on Wednesday night. >> Read more

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Maximiliano Moralez had a goal and an assist and New York City FC beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on Saturday night.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Ismael Tajouri scored two goals and Sean Johnson had five saves to help New York City FC play the New England Revolution to a 2-2 draw Saturday.

The New England Revolution haven't lost at home in MLS play since last summer. Coming off a bye week, Brad Friedel's club faces a stiff test.

New England will try to extend an unbeaten streak and deal New York City FC its first loss of the season on Saturday.

The Revolution haven't played since topping the Colorado Rapids, 2-1, on March 10 in Foxborough, Mass. Diego Fagundez scored and Chris Tierney collected the game-winner deep in second-half stoppage time to give Friedel, a rookie coach, his first league win.

NEW YORK (AP) Ismael Tajouri and Maximiliano Moralez scored 12-minutes apart in the second half and New York City FC opened the season with three straight wins for the first time in the club's short history with a 2-0 victory over Orlando City on Saturday.

The record after the first two games of the season is unblemished for the first time in the club's short history, but everything isn't perfect for New York City FC coach Patrick Vieira.

"There are a lot of parts of the game that we need to improve," Vieira said. "If (you ask if) I'm happy with the way we played after two games I would say yes because at times we played some really good football, we had a lot of possession of the ball, we created a lot of situations and we didn't concede much.

"I think that's quite good for only two games into the competition, but we're still a long way to go and some sides of the game we need to improve a lot if we want to do well in this league."

Anton Tinnerholm had his first MLS goal and David Villa scored another to help New York City FC beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 on Sunday.

Tinnerholm blasted a left-footed volley to give NYCFC (2-0-0) the lead in the 22nd minute. Villa's cross, off a feed from Jesus Medina, deflected high off Michael Ciani and Tinnerholm, a 27-year-old defender from Sweden, rifled it off the crossbar.

In Year Three of Patrick Vieira's reign as head coach -- and the club's fourth overall -- NYCFC is considered a strong contender to capture MLS Cup in December.

Jesus Medina scored in his MLS debut, Maximiliano Moralez had a goal and New York City FC beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 on Sunday night in a season opener for both clubs.

NYC handed Sporting KC its first home-opening defeat since 2009 in front of a crowd of 20,831.

Two clubs that probably felt like they left something on the pitch last year open the 2018 season, as New York City FC travels to play Sporting Kansas City on Sunday afternoon at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

The Columbus Crew advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, winning the two-leg series 4-3 after falling 2-0 in the second game Sunday night.

The Crew will host the Supporters Shield winner Toronto FC in Game 1 of the conference finals Nov. 21. Toronto will be without stars Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. Altidore and New York Red Bulls captain Sacha Kljestan were sent off after a tunnel melee at halftime in the other semifinal game earlier Sunday and Giovinco received his second yellow card in two games.

NYC's David Villa opened the scoring in the 16th minute on a penalty kick as Zack Steffen dove the wrong way. It came after Josh Williams tripped Rodney Wallace in a non-threatening position at the corner of the 18-yard box. >> Read more

Copyright 2017 by The Associated Press

After fighting so hard for the right to have a first-round bye in the MLS playoffs, New York City FC could see it all go for naught if it cannot pull off a blowout victory against Columbus Crew SC on Sunday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Artur started a three-goal outburst in the second half shortly after New York City FC went down a man and the Columbus Crew won the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Columbus Crew SC will be riding the emotion of a dramatic knockout round victory against Atlanta United and the passion of their fans when they play New York City FC on Tuesday in the first leg of Eastern Conference semifinals.

David Villa scored two goals and New York City FC tied the Columbus Crew 2-2 on Sunday in the first regular-season match at Citi Field to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. >> Read more

Copyright 2017 by The Associated Press

Columbus and New York City try to overcome distractions as they jockey for playoff positioning on the final day of the MLS season Sunday.

Diego Fagundez scored two goals in the second half and the New England Revolution beat 10-man New York City FC 2-1 on Sunday.

New England (12-15-6) set a club record with 12 wins at home. NYC (16-9-8) had several possibilities to clinch a bye in the playoffs but needed at least a draw. >> Read more

Copyright 2017 by the Associated Press

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) David Villa tied it in the 43rd minute with his 20th goal of the season and New York City FC held on for a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

The Chicago Fire will play in Major League Soccer's postseason for the first time since 2012, but they don't plan to coast through the final three regular season games.

Chicago (15-10-6, 51 points) is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference standings heading into Saturday's game against the New York City FC at Toyota Park in Chicago.

In the teams' second meeting this season, the Fire hope to make up ground on New York City as they shoot for a higher seed in the upcoming MLS playoffs.

MONTREAL (AP) Jack Harrison scored in the 10th minute and New York City FC held on to beat the Montreal Impact 1-0 on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old Harrison fired a bouncing ball past Evan Bush into the top corner from a tricky angle for his 10th goal.

New York City FC is locked in for the MLS playoffs. The Montreal Impact are still holding out hope that they can sneak in.

To do so, it's three points or bust for the Impact when they host NYCFC on Wednesday night at Saputo Stadium.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) New York's Maximiliano Moralez and Houston's Mauro Manotas scored early goals and the Dynamo and NYCFC battled to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

The game was moved to Pratt & Whitney Stadium because of a scheduling conflict at Yankee Stadium.

Moralez picked up his fifth goal in the sixth minute when he flicked a header inside the near post off a perfect service from the right side by Andraz Struna. Just 10 minutes later Manotas tallied his ninth after a quick restart just outside the top of the box, chipping the ball past New York keeper Sean Johnson.

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) Dominique Badji scored in the 88th minute to give the Colorado Rapids a 1-1 tie with New York City FC on Saturday night.

Thomas McNamara opened the scoring for NYC (15-8-6) in the 19th minute. He slipped past a defender after receiving Andrea Pirlo's pass near midfield and smashed a driving blast into the top right corner from 25 yards.

New York City FC may be without David Villa, their leading scorer and the reigning MLS MVP, for a third straight match when they meet the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

Villa, who owns a league-leading 19 goals, has been out with an abductor irritation he suffered while training with the Spanish National Team. NYCFC (15-8-5) is 1-1 without him, but scored just once in those matches.

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.

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.

Jack Harrison scored his ninth goal of the season in the 84th minute, helping New York City FC beat Sporting Kansas City 1-0 on a rainy Wednesday night.

New York City (15-7-5) is 8-0-2 in its last 10 home games. Kansas City (10-6-10) has only won once in its last 10 regular-season road games.

Earlier in NYC's winning possession, Tim Melia punched away Thomas McNamara's shot and RJ Allen tracked down the loose ball near the sideline. Harrison chested down Allen's cross near the penalty spot and volleyed it home.

New York City FC couldn't secure a victory as they played the New York Red Bulls to a draw in the NY Derby, 1-1, at Red Bull Arena Friday night. 

NYCFC got on the scoreboard first as David Villa found Maxi Moralez in the box to score in the 56th minute. It was Moralez's fourth goal of the year. 

However, the Red Bulls would tie things up after Sacha Kljestan earned a penalty kick in the 70th minute. Gonzalo Veron would convert the shot to tie the game up. 

Jonathan Lewis scored in stoppage time to help New York City FC beat the New England Revolution 2-1 on Sunday for its third straight victory.

The 20-year-old rookie has scored his only two MLS goals in back-to-back games.

David Villa trapped a long cross from RJ Allen on the left side and dropped it to Ben Sweat, who first-timed a left footer to Lewis at the top of the 6-yard box for the finish in the fourth minute of injury time. >> Read more

Copyright 2017 by the Associated Press

New York City FC will look to continue a late push toward the top of the Eastern Conference standings when it welcomes the New England Revolution to Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening.

New York City (13-7-4, 43 points) is arguably the hottest team in the league after winning their seventh match in 10 games last weekend, a 2-0 victory at the Los Angeles Galaxy that included a sparkling first goal from 20-year-old rookie Jonathan Lewis.

David Villa had his first MLS hat trick to help New York City FC beat the New York Red Bulls 3-2 on Sunday night.

Villa's third goal gave New York City (12-7-4) the lead for good in the 75th minute. He drew a foul in the area when Sal Zizzo was shown a yellow card for a high boot and then converted from the spot.

Villa opened the scoring in the 28th, beating a charging Luis Robles 1-on-1 and tapping a left-footer into the open net.

Bradley Wright-Phillips took a pass Sean Davis cut left and scored from top of the box in 41st minute and rolled in a perfectly placed cross from Tyler Adams from just outside the 6-yard box to give the Red Bulls (11-9-2) a 2-1 lead in the 64th.

The last time New York City FC faced its closest rivals, coach Patrick Vieira said his squad delivered a near-perfect performance in a 2-0 road win over the New York Red Bulls on June 24.

NYCFC (11-7-4) may need a repeat performance Sunday if it is to slow down the streaking Red Bulls.

Sebastian Giovinco scored twice and Toronto FC beat New York City FC 4-0 on Sunday to increase its overall MLS lead to five points.

Jozy Altidore and Raheem Edwards also scored to help Toronto improve to 12-3-7 overall and 8-0-3 at home.

Giovinco opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, after raising his hands in the air to call for the ball some 10 yards outside the penalty box. Marky Delgado obliged and Giovinco got the ball in space, sidestepping the approaching Andrea Pirlo as if he was rooted to the ground before curling a left-footed shot high into the goal past a diving Sean Johnson.

NEW YORK (AP) David Villa and Frederic Brillant scored minutes apart early in the second half and New York City FC beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 on Saturday to extend its home unbeaten streak to seven games.

Sean Johnson had a season-high seven saves for New York City (11-6-4), which has scored in a franchise-record 21 consecutive home matches.

Villa opened the scoring in the 47th minute, putting away a volley, off a feed from Jonathan Lewis, from just outside the top of the box. Moments later, Brillant headed home the rebound of his own header to make it 2-0. Maximiliano Moralez played a cross, off a set piece, into the area and Brillant's header was stopped by Matt Lampson, but Brillant's putback - a diving header - found the back of the net.

After a squandered opportunity, New York City FC has a second chance at gaining on the Eastern Conference's top two teams.

The Blues, who gave up a 90th-minute goal in a 2-2 draw with first-place Toronto FC on Wednesday, host the second-place Chicago Fire on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium in New York.

The Fire (11-3-5) trail Toronto FC (11-3-6), which hosts Colorado on Saturday, by one point in the standings. NYCFC (10-6-4) is five points behind Toronto FC.

"I feel that sometimes you have to accept that the other team is playing better, and I think Toronto played better," NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said in his postgame press conference. "I think in the second half when they scored the goal, we were struggling. Physically, it was quite difficult for us."

NEW YORK (AP) Victor Vazquez drilled a penalty kick past Sean Johnson in the first minute of stoppage time and Toronto FC escaped with a 2-2 draw against New York City FC on Wednesday night.

Jordan Hamilton was clipped and taken down by New York City's RJ Allen in the penalty area in the 90th minute, setting up Vazquez's penalty kick for his fourth goal of the season.

The next four days could shed light on whether New York City is a real contender in the Eastern Conference of MLS.

The third-place Blues will host the two teams tied for first in the East -- Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Chicago Fire on Saturday -- at Yankee Stadium, hoping to close what is a five-point gap.

 NYCFC won their fourth straight match thanks to goals from David Villaand Jack Harrison. 

Elsewhere, the Mets take the rubber match from the Marlins, NYCFC wins their fourth straight, the Jets are interested in a linebacker coming out of retirement and IsiahThomas is not interested in the Knicks job. 

NEW YORK (AP) David Villa scored his 11th goal of the season, Jack Harrison had his eighth and New York City FC beat expansion Minnesota United 3-1 on Thursday night.

NYC (10-5-3) tied a club record with its fourth straight victory. Minnesota (5-10-3) remains winless on the road.

Minnesota United visits surging New York City FC on Thursday in a midweek Major League Soccer battle at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC (9-5-3) is riding a four-game unbeaten streak, highlighted by the club's road win over the rival New York Red Bulls. NYCFC had never won at Red Bull Arena. They have now. Jack Harrison and Ben Sweat scored, and the NYCFC defense pitched a shutout in a 2-0 win over the Red Bulls on Saturday.

"The challenge is to see if we can play two games with the same intensity in a row," NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said this week. "If we don't have the same concentration and focus that we had against Red Bulls, we will not have any chance of winning against Minnesota."

NYCFC won for the first-time ever at Red Bull Arena in a 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls in the first edition of the Hudson River Derby of 2017.

David Villa didn't let the rain bother him Saturday, scoring twice in leading New York City FC past Seattle 2-1 at Yankee Stadium

The star striker from Spain scored his 50th and 51st MLS career goals in the second half.

Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens scored their first goals of the season, both off corners in the final 10 minutes, to rally New York FC to a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Chanot rose between two defenders and headed the ball inside the near post off the corner from Maximiliano Morzlez to tie the game in the 80th minute.

The Philadelphia Union are not the same team that New York City FC defeated in mid-April.

Since that 2-0 loss at home to NYCFC, the Union have won five of their last eight with two draws heading into Saturday's rematch at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira repeatedly reminded his team this week exactly what it is facing Saturday.