Orlando City-Timbers Preview

Even without a key offensive player, Orlando City is confident it can continue its solid play on the road.

After losing midfielder Pedro Ribeiro for at least two months with a torn hamstring, Orlando moves on looking to remain undefeated on the road Sunday against a Portland Timbers club that traditionally plays well at home.

Despite being in an 0-2-1 stretch following a 1-0 home loss to D.C. United on April 3, Orlando (1-2-2) is eager to return to the road where all but one of the franchise's first five points have been recorded. Its only win came 1-0 at Houston on March 13, and its only scoring over the last three matches also came on the road as Kaka and Ribeiro each assisted on the other's goal in a 2-all draw at Montreal on March 28.

"The very nature of the game alters when you go away from home," coach Adrian Heath told Orlando's official website. "You get more chances to counterattack and that's something we're aware of. ... We've fully deserved the four points we have got on the road so far."

Though Ribeiro has played well alongside the legendary Kaka, Heath is confident his team can successfully move forward after the second-year product sustained his serious injury in the first half against United.

That begins in front of Portland's raucous fan base on a pitch where the Timbers (1-1-3) have lost only five times in the last 45 matches.

"I always think this is what you play football for, to play in these environments," Heath said. "It's an incredible atmosphere, the support gets behind them and it is really special. They put teams under pressure at home, so we know what's coming. It's going to be a difficult afternoon - but I also know we're going to have an opportunity to play."

Cyle Larin, the first overall pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft, will make his initial start after recording two shots on goal against United in his second career contest.

"He definitely has an opportunity," Heath said about Larin, who turns 20 on Friday. "It is what I say to all the younger players - if you bring your A-game to training every single morning you will get a chance."

Portland is coming off its first win, matching its goal output from the first four matches with a 3-1 home victory over FC Dallas last Saturday. Fanendo Adi scored the Timbers' first three goals this season, then added an assist on Diego Chara's score in the 87th minute last week.

"I think we deserved it for a few weeks," center back Liam Ridgewell told Portland's official website. "It's a platform to build on now."

Nine players have recorded a goal or an assist for the Timbers, who have scored all but one of their six while going 1-0-2 at home.

"It's extremely important and gives the team a very solid feel when different guys are scoring," said forward Maximiliano Urruti, who recorded his first goal last Saturday after scoring a career-high 10 in 2014.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts returns to Portland, where he spent the previous three seasons before Orlando selected him in last year's expansion draft.