Portland Timbers-Club America Preview (8/9)

The 2025 Portland Timbers began the season in an unusual manner: they were good. It’s been pretty common for the Timbers to slip and slide during the season’s early months and try to make up the ground in the summer and fall. When the Timbers entered last year’s edition of Leagues Cup, they were riding high from a 1-0 victory at LAFC. They used that momentum to polish off Atletico San Luis and Queretaro, before the tournament’s stupid rules necessitated a trip to Texas to face Club America.

This Texas trip became the “sliding-doors moment” of Portland’s 2025 campaign. On the night before they suited up against the Mexican giant, Santiago Moreno fled to Colombia. A suddenly understrength Timbers team took a shock 1-0 lead and promptly defended for their lives. Amidst a hail of derogatory chants and boos, referee Guido Gonzales Jr. had all the power in the world to do the right thing and stop proceedings. But he chose not to, and what followed next was an instant contender for the worst refereeing decision of the season.

Jimer Fory had been booked in the 48th minute for dissent, which felt a little harsh but understandable. But the Colombian fullback (playing as an outside center back) decided to make a risky challenge three minutes later.

He gets the ball. It’s clear as day. Yet Gonzales Jr, who spent the entirety of this game ignoring the slurs raining down from Club America fans, decided that this was the moment he needed to give Las Aguilas even more preferential treatment. A second yellow was shown, and Fory was sent off. Portland conceded the equalizing goal from a corner kick three minutes later, but remained strong in defense to force a penalty shootout. Their Leagues Cup hopes ended when Kamal Miller’s penalty kick slid wide of the goal frame. Club America was already eliminated. The Timbers had gathered some momentum from their brief 3-game winning streak. They only won three more games for the remainder of the season, with two of those victories coming in the playoffs.

Tomorrow’s game, above all else, is a grudge match. The Timbers were disrespected in Texas last year. Club America are no longer the Tricampeones. They’ve been surpassed by Toluca over the past calendar year. Both teams have legitimate stakes entering this game. And the Portland Timbers are ready for their own home-field advantage to kick in.

The Club America Report

Club America’s recent history has been filled with trophies. They won three straight Liguillas: the Apertura in 2023 and 2024 and the 2024 Clausura. Toluca triumphed in the 2025 Clausura and the 2025 Apertura before Cruz Azul became the most recent Mexican champions. What was Club America doing in the last year since they beat Portland in penalty kicks?

They finished 4th in the Apertura table; only 3 points behind table-topping Toluca. A tough matchup with 5th-placed Monterrey awaited Las Aguilas in the first round of the Liguilla. After taking a 2-0 loss at Estadio BBVA, they managed to erase that aggregate deficit by the hour mark of Leg 2. However, despite playing with a man down due to an 84th minute red card, German Berterame won the tie for Monterrey with a priceless 90+3’ winner.

During the 2026 Clausura, Club America made another CONCACAF Champions’ Cup run. It was the 10-year anniversary of their last continental title, and they desperately wanted to break an embarrassing drought for a club of their stature. Las Aguilas defeated Honduran side CD Olimpia by a 2-1 aggregate score in the first round. That scoreline was repeated in their Round of 16 victory against Philadelphia, but there was an interesting crack that was starting to show. Club America did not win the home leg against the Union, tying 1-1 instead. Next up was a quarterfinal clash with Nashville. A 0-0 tie in Tennessee gave Las Aguilas all the momentum and advantages heading into Leg 2 at the newly remodeled Azteca. However, Nashville became the first MLS team to win a game outright at the legendary Mexican cathedral; walking out with a historic 1-0 win. Club America’s continental trophy hunt will have to wait, especially as a disappointing Clausura (8th-place finish) ended with a wild quarterfinal Liguilla tie with Pumas.

The first leg ended 3-3, and the second leg featured the same scoreline. Las Aguilas had a chance to win the tie outright in the 87th minute after winning their 4th penalty across both legs (that’s suspicious). However, Henry Martin put his attempt from the spot off the left-sided post. In the quarters and semis of the Liguilla, aggregate ties do not go to penalties. Instead, the higher seeded team advances. The regular season really matters, especially when a crucial penalty kick is missed. Therefore, Pumas advanced due to their higher seed. Back-to-back quarterfinal exits for Club America is a massive failure of expectations. Winning trophies is the baseline expectation for this club. Is the 2026 Leagues Cup going to be their chance to end a nearly two-year trophy drought?

Club America (2-1-0, 4 points, 1st place in Liga MX) began the 2026 Apertura with a 1-0 win at Queretaro, a 1-1 draw with Atlante, and a 3-0 drubbing of Santos Laguna. Due to the new Leagues Cup rules for highly-rated Mexican teams, they were able to host their opening game of the tournament. San Diego came to visit, Las Aguilas entered halftime with a 3-0 lead, and held on to win 3-1. They ended Matchday 1 in 2nd place, behind Toluca on goal differential. Qualifying for the next round is an expectation. After their game against Portland on Sunday, they’ll return to Austin for a second year in a row for a game against the team that actually calls Q2 Stadium home. This is the toughest game for Las Aguilas during Phase One, especially given how good Portland’s recent form has been.

CA Projected Starting XI

Injury reports aren’t produced for Leagues Cup games. However, Alejandro Zendejas missed the San Diego game with a knee injury. Starting goalkeeper Luis Malagon and forward Victor Davila are recovering from long-term leg injuries.

When Portland and Club America played last year, Las Aguilas were already eliminated from the tournament. With qualification for the knockout stages still on the line, I’m expecting Las Aguilas to stick with a strong starting eleven. The only change from Thursday’s win against San Diego that I’m projecting is the return of on-loan attacking midfielder Raphael Veiga. Rodriguez was a problem during last year’s meeting, and he’s being subjected to more outgoing transfer rumors like he was at this time last year. Martin is the club’s talisman, scoring 119 goals in 319 appearances for Club America. Sanchez and Violante joined Rodriguez on the scoresheet on Thursday. Their backline is a mix of relative youth with veterans, but all of them have been tested at the highest levels of Liga MX and CCC. Cota started in goal during last year’s meeting. Their bench isn’t as strong, but it could be a lot stronger if Zendejas is cleared to play. Head coach Guillermo Almada took over for Andre Jardine after the club and former head coach agreed to mutually part ways in early June. Jardine is currently in the UAE, and Almada hasn’t lost a game yet. Neither has Cassidy. An unstoppable force is meeting an immovable object.

The Timbers Report

Jack Cassidy’s final game as the interim head coach is finally here. While many are sad to see him return to T2, it’s very important that Portland’s academy players receive the same level of coaching that Cassidy has provided to the first team. That emphasis on “world-class basics” has helped the Portland Timbers (7-3-8, 24 points, 8W/16S) pick up 13 points in their last 5 games, including a 5-2 victory against Puebla on Thursday that saw the Timbers top the MLS Leagues Cup table after Matchday 1.

There really isn’t a lot to write about with such a short gap between games, so I’ll just run through Cassidy’s final pre-match presser. The first question was about new signing Vincent Janssen, who wasn’t on the training pitch during Friday’s session. Cassidy said that Janssen was going through the visa process, and that his status for tomorrow’s game depended on whether or not the visa was approved in time. The English head coach then talked about Club America’s quality in the wide areas. “It’s going to be a much tougher game, that’s just the reality of it. The level of the opponent is going to be the hardest out of the five we’ve already played.” Cassidy didn’t know that the Club America game would be his final game as the interim until Thursday. 

Then a question was posed about Club America’s short travel turnaround and Portland’s need for a quick start. “A couple of times it hasn’t really gone to plan, but the lads have shown the character to get back into the game. But yeah, when possible, we want to have a fast start. And actually, there have been a couple games where we have started pretty well but we conceded the first goal.” I don’t really want to nitpick that last point, but the Timbers didn’t struggle against Dallas at the start of the game while their opening periods against RSL and Seattle (at home) were less than satisfactory. A positive front-footed start to tomorrow’s game is paramount. Cassidy was asked for his thoughts on what makes Club America a different animal than Puebla. “If you give a good teams half a chance, they’ll take it. And that’s often the difference in any league across the world. It’s just that cutting-edge quality. There will be no room for errors…if you make a mistake you’re going to get punished.”

For the final question, Cassidy was asked about the most rewarding part of his time as the interim. “The performances of the players. The fact that they’ve bought into everything that we’ve asked of them, and the togetherness of the group, and we’ve seen that in the output of the performances. So I think that’s been the most satisfying thing. We’ve been really consistent with what we’ve worked on across this period of time and we’ve seen it come to fruition in the games. And particularly around the fundamental things that we wanted the group to do. They’ve outworked the opponent in five out of five games. So I’m really delighted for that, and it’s been a pleasure across the period of time to work with them.”

Tree Questions With Omir Fernandez

Omir Fernandez didn’t play a single minute (or train a single minute) during the entire Apertura as he nursed a broken foot back to full health. With his first period of extended playing time in the books after a 35-minute outing against Puebla, I took the opportunity to catch up with him on Friday.

Q: How tough was it to recover from a broken foot?

A: “Yeah, it was tough. I think that’s definitely the toughest moment in my career health-wise, and it’s obviously tougher being in it and I know so many guys that go through long processes that, you know, you just couldn’t imagine. But it’s definitely something that I’m glad I had my team and my family and my friends and everybody supporting me through that. So honestly, now we’re back, just trying to get the minutes under my belt and get the reps in. And obviously the games in like yesterday where the team is in the hot streak and playing well, and everybody’s confident. It just helps me gain my confidence and get back into the rhythm of things. So honestly, just a long process but I’m just thinking about now getting back to my old self and scoring and playing well for the team.”

Q: It’s now the third straight year that you’re getting to play Club America after beating them in 2024 with Colorado in Los Angeles and last year’s loss in Austin on penalty kicks. You’re a Club America fan, so how does it feel to be playing them again but this time with a home crowd at your back?

A: “I’m excited. I know the type of team that they are from playing them various times and watching them over the years. And you know they’re a big team in this side of the country and all over the world, so they have quality players. They’re expected to do great things, so honestly, for me, I’m not really thinking about who we’re playing against, or the players. It’s just more exciting for me to play against the team that I’ve supported since I was young and my family. So it’s exciting obviously to have them at Providence Park because I know how exciting it can get in there when it’s the right environment. And even last night it was amazing for us to give them 5 goals and give them a great result. So honestly, just playing at home is a blessing for me. I love playing at Providence Park, I tell everybody that. So it’s going to be a good game and I’m excited.”

Q: You checked back in against Puebla for your first extended period of playing time since getting hurt and you drew four fouls in a short period of time. How does that feel when you get on the pitch?

A: “So many coaches have told me that I can just draw fouls, and I’m good at those kinds of things. I kind of tell them that I’m not looking to, you know, get fouled or get hit. I don’t enjoy it. But obviously it’s something that I’m not afraid of doing. And I’m glad that after coming from an injury I’m not thinking about my foot and anything like that. It’s just playing free and I’m always going to try to take defenders on and be in those tight spaces. It’s part of the game, you know, I tell the guys that it’s a part of the game, but I always tell them to have my back and maybe get 1 or 2 in for me on the other team. And they’re always like, ‘Yeah, we’ll do that for sure,’ so it’s good to just be back out there.”

PTFC Projected Starting XI

The long-term injuries to Juan Mosquera and Alexander Aravena have already been accounted for. Ian Smith picked up a knock against Puebla and his status for tomorrow is uncertain. The same could be said for James Pantemis, but the Canadian goalkeeper trained in full on Friday. Vincent Janssen received his P-1 visa and is available for selection for the first time as a Timber.

Cassidy’s first-choice lineup should get one more run-out in his final game as the interim. Chara is a prime choice for this game. He’s the only player who saw the field when these two teams last met at Providence Park back in the 2021 CCL quarterfinals. Miller and Fory were fully rested on Thursday, with Fory’s absence caused by a suspension for that already-discussed nonsensical second yellow. Both of those defenders will be looking for redemption tomorrow. Leagues Cup Lassiter should start on the right because Antony’s super-sub potential could break this game wide open. That’s exactly what happened last year, as the rapid Brazilian single-handedly provided a deadly counterattacking threat after the Timbers went down to 10 men. Velde was not with the team for last year’s meeting. Neither was Bassett or Bye. But these players are licking their chops at the chance to avenge last year’s brutal defeat.

Tactical Preview

Defensive Shape

I haven’t talked about out-of-possession structure in a while. Given Club America’s possession proclivity, I think it’s a good time to bring it back up.

This isn’t the most perfect picture, but it illustrates the shape that Cassidy wants to see when the Timbers are forming a block. The striker is separated and the midfielders are forcing Puebla to progress the ball out wide. Cassidy’s formation switch is commonly described as a 4-1-4-1, but that shape is most commonly seen out-of-possession instead of when the Timbers have the ball. It puts an enormous amount of responsibility on the lone holding midfielder. Caicedo hasn’t been flawless as the lone 6, but he’s been adept at covering the spaces between the lines (except on Puebla’s second goal). With the right press triggers, this can be a workable set-up for Marti Cifuentes’ tenure as well.

Those press triggers will probably consist of Club America’s wide players. If the midfield is going to be purposely clogged, forcing the ball out wide will become the expected scenario. I’m expecting the Timbers to heavily press Club America’s wingers once they receive the ball out wide and use the sideline as an extra defender. The fullbacks are also adept at getting forward, so keeping track of any underlapping or overlapping runs will also be paramount. Cassidy was disappointed in the second Puebla goal because the Timbers didn’t keep their lines tight enough. Since the Timbers won’t be seeing the majority of the ball, those lines will have to be compact and hard to break through. It’s a big test for Portland’s defense, and it’s coming at the right time.

Counterattacks

The renaissance of Portland’s counterattacks has been really encouraging. Off-ball runs combined with smart decision-making destroyed the Seattle Sounders at Lumen and allowed Bassett to score Portland’s 4th goal on the stroke of halftime. There should be space open on the counter in tomorrow’s game. The Timbers just have to keep doing what has been working in the past month.

Although this next point doesn’t relate to counterattacking directly, it does relate to how the Timbers have been able to bear so much fruit in front of goal during Cassidy’s interim tenure. Portland has put an increased emphasis on getting to the endline, while multiple players are making well-timed runs inside the box. Three players converged on David Da Costa’s cutback cross but Lassiter won the race and got the goal on Thursday. With more of these runs and quality play on the outside, more and more goalscoring chances should continue to populate Portland’s attacking play.

Matchday Info

Broadcast Bulletin

Broadcast platform: FS1 & Apple TV

Kickoff time: 7:15 (7:30) PST

Series History

Historical record: 0-1-2, -2 goal differential

Home record: 0-1-0, 0 goal differential

Current streak: 3 winless

Current home streak: 1 unbeaten

It’s the first time these two teams have met at Providence Park since April 28, 2021. In a game that featured 9 yellow cards, Felipe Mora scored a clutch penalty kick in the 7th minute of second-half stoppage time in front of a capped crowd. Plenty of Club America fans made the trip, and there should be plenty of yellow shirts in the stadium tomorrow. Don’t let them be the dominating voice.

Table Time

Every team isn’t in the correct place, but the Sounders are still on the bottom so I’ll take it. Three MLS teams have won twice already: Charlotte, Columbus, and Cincinnati. The top of the Leagues Cup table is more competitive than last year’s. A win tomorrow will do the Timbers a world of good.

This tournament continues to be unfair to Mexican teams. The battle for the top is less competitive. 7 points should be enough for a Liga MX team to qualify for the knockout stages. America’s next game is against Austin, who host Puebla tomorrow. There’s a chance that Los Broccolis will be fighting for a knockout stage berth when Las Aguilas come to town.

Final Whistle

I firmly believe that the Timbers will be eliminated from Leagues Cup with a loss. So the goal is simple: don’t lose. That includes a loss on penalty kicks given the strength of other MLS sides in this competition. 

Providence Park has hosted a lot of games in its 100 years of existence, and tomorrow’s match is unique. The biggest club on the continent is playing a competitive match against the Timbers in a competition that was only created to make more money. Club America fans brought flares back in 2021. I hope that they leave them at home this time. Our stadium is precious, and it’s already been hit by lightning within the past two weeks. Their noise alone should be enough to create an unbelievable atmosphere. For the record, I’m not against flares in general. I just don’t like them in legendary stadiums with roofs and benches made of wood.

That atmosphere is supposed to be the big selling point of tomorrow’s game. The Timbers have momentum, and the North End is rediscovering their proficiency for noise. Several Club America fans will undoubtedly try to sit in the North End tomorrow. Just kindly remove them and keep the energy strong and loud. Do not let them get away with the chant either. The referee needs to step up, unlike Gonzales Jr’s cowardly performance last year. Tomorrow’s game could illustrate the positivity of this controversial tournament. Or it could provide evidence to the contrary. All the Timbers need to do is feed off the crowd and take care of business. Should be simple enough. The climb continues.