The Portland Timbers were handed a 3-1 defeat by Club América in their second Leagues Cup encounter, a result that saw them tumble from the summit to tenth in the MLS Phase One table.
Brian Rodríguez opened the scoring in the sixth minute, but Kristoffer Velde equalised for the Timbers in the 19th, only for Isaías Violante to restore the lead in the 63rd minute and Óscar Perea to seal the win with a late strike in the 88th.
A setback in the Leagues Cup
The loss not only dented the Timbers' confidence but also cost them valuable ground in the race for a knockout spot, as only the top four clubs from each league advance to the next phase.
Their next test arrives on August 13 at 7:30 p.m., when they host Club Tijuana in a match that could determine whether their campaign survives.
What’s at stake
The upcoming clash with Tijuana is more than a simple group game; it represents a chance for the Timbers to rebound from a disappointing performance and to test their resilience against a side that has already been eliminated from knockout contention after two losses.
Coach Giovanni Savarese is expected to tweak his defensive setup, hoping to shore up the backline that struggled against América’s attacking trio.
Fans will be watching closely, aware that a win could reignite the team’s campaign and keep their aspirations alive for a potential showdown with the league’s elite.