Club América wins the battle against the Timbers, but loses the war.
Danny Jefferson | August 6, 2025
The Leagues Cup group stage clash between the Portland Timbers and Club América at Q2 Stadium delivered plenty of drama, ending 1–1 in regulation before América claimed the bonus point in a penalty shootout. Portland looked in control for long stretches, but a second-half red card changed the game’s rhythm and ultimately forced the Timbers to settle for a share of the spoils.
Portland got the perfect start just seven minutes in when Ariel Lassiter slipped behind the defense and coolly chipped the goalkeeper to put the Timbers in front. The goal set the tone early, as Portland pressed with energy and disrupted América’s buildup, leaving the Mexican giants chasing the game. By the half-hour mark, Portland’s defensive organization was paying off, with América struggling to carve out anything clear in attack.
The Timbers maintained that composure until the second half, but everything shifted in the 53rd minute. Defender Jimer Fory was shown a red card for a foul near midfield, reducing Portland to ten men. Almost immediately, América capitalized on their advantage from a set piece. Ramón Juárez powered home a header from a corner, pulling the sides level and injecting momentum back into América’s play.
From that point forward, it became a test of Portland’s resilience. Down a man, the Timbers sat deeper and looked to hit on the counter when possible, with Lassiter and Felipe Mora working hard to hold up play and relieve the pressure. América dominated possession and pushed numbers forward, but Portland’s back line held firm under the wave of attacks.
As the clock wound down, both sides had half-chances to find a winner. América relied heavily on crosses and shots from distance, while Portland attempted to spring forward quickly whenever they regained the ball. Neither side could break through, and after 90 minutes the match was destined to be settled by penalties.
In the shootout, América showed their composure, converting all five of their spot kicks with confidence. Portland were equally assured until Kamal Miller’s effort was stopped, handing América a 5–3 victory from the spot and the valuable bonus point. It was a cruel ending for the Timbers after such a disciplined defensive performance.
For Portland, the draw in regulation kept them unbeaten in the group stage and underscored their defensive solidity, conceding only once in three matches. Still, the extra point lost in penalties could prove costly as their advancement now depends on results elsewhere in the group.
América, meanwhile, leave the tournament with mixed emotions. Their performance fell below the usual expectations for one of Mexico’s most storied clubs, yet the shootout win offered at least some relief. They will turn their attention back to Liga MX play with questions to answer about their consistency.
Statistically, Portland’s resilience was the story of the night. Even with ten men, they managed to keep América from creating many dangerous openings in open play, showcasing discipline and commitment. The Timbers showed they can compete with one of the region’s biggest clubs, though the red card and penalty misfortune proved decisive.
Ultimately, this match embodied the intensity of the Leagues Cup format. It had an early breakthrough, a game-changing red card, a set-piece equalizer, and the high-stakes drama of a penalty shootout. Portland may feel they left points on the table, while América walk away with the bonus—but both clubs know their margins for success in this competition are razor-thin.