Mackay-Stevens: It's disappointing to lose in this way

New York City FC has not been able to to stop Portland's patented counterattack, which was especially disappointing, Mackay-Steven said, considering it was NYCFC that scored the opener via first-half Jesus Medina penalty kick and felt they were the ones on the front foot for large parts of the first half.

"We were prepared, obviously it's just moments in the game when we've got bodies piling forward and then they get a loose ball and all of the sudden they're on the attack," said Mackay-Steven."It's disappointing the goals we conceded, we'll go back and look and see where we can do better, but I felt we were in control for a lot of the first half, we created a lot of good opportunities. It was just that final ball, that final pass, we were going forward in numbers, and the game was under control. It's disappointing to lose, but Portland were clinical when they got their opportunities and they took their chances as well."