Timbers-New York City FC Preview

Diego Valeri was Portland's most dangerous offensive player last season, but with him still recovering from a torn ACL, the Timbers are finding it more difficult to put goals on the board.

New York City FC might be down its leading scorer, too.

David Villa is questionable as NYC looks to snap a four-match winless streak Sunday night against the visiting Timbers.

Valeri had 11 goals and 14 assists in 2014 before suffering his injury in the final game of the season. Portland (1-2-3) also has yet to play with captain Will Johnson, who is recovering from a broken leg suffered late last season.

Both have returned to limited practice, though they likely won't play for another two weeks. Fanendo Adi has three of the Timbers' six goals, but they were shut out for the third time in last Sunday's 2-0 loss to Orlando City FC.

"We have to get back to being ourselves and realize we know how to score," Adi said.

New York City (1-3-2) has scored just five times, with Villa accounting for two goals and an assist. Villa, though, was removed at halftime of Thursday's 1-all draw with Philadelphia because of a hamstring strain.

There's a chance Villa will have to sit out this contest, but Portland is preparing as if he'll play.

"He's a world-class player, achieved a lot and is capable of doing the unexpected," Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey said. "We just have to be alert when he has the ball."

NYC will be short-handed even if Villa is healthy enough to play. Jason Hernandez has been ruled out with a calf strain, and defenders Josh Williams and Shay Facey are questionable with adductor strains.

Portland knows New York City still will come out strong. Mehdi Ballouchy scored for NYC in the last match, while Khiry Shelton, the second overall pick in this year's draft, showed promise in his first career start.

"They've got a very talented group," Timbers defender Nat Borchers said. "They're going to want to get a lot of touches in the midfield, so we're going to have to have a solution for that. The more we can keep them from getting into a rhythm, the more we can get into a rhythm."

Expansion NYC has gone 0-2-2 since earning its first-ever victory when it beat defending Eastern Conference champion New England on March 15.

"Our coaches talk to us every day about putting stuff behind you and focusing on what's ahead of you," midfielder Kwadwo Poku said. "We came in (Thursday) with the mindset of getting three points, but at the end of the day it didn't happen. We have to keep our heads up and focus on the next game Sunday."

New York City has played well despite the lack of wins. Philadelphia scored in stoppage time in last Saturday's 2-1 win over NYC before the Union netted the tying goal in the 86th minute Thursday.

"We need to stay positive," goalkeeper Josh Saunders said. "We need to band together and look at things as a team. We need to look at things collectively that we can do better."