FILE — Portland Timbers midfielder Cole Bassett, shown in this July 16, 2026 file photo taken in Seattle, scored twice in Thursday night's win over Club Puebla.
Lindsey Wasson / AP
The Portland Timbers opened Leagues Cup 2026 with a 5-2 blowout victory over Club Puebla at Providence Park in Portland.
The win puts the team atop the MLS Phase One standings in the Leagues Cup tournament, which pits teams from the MLS against Mexico’s Liga MX.
The Timbers struck early as Ariel Lassiter tapped in a ball that ricocheted off a defender at the five-minute mark. Eduardo Mustre answered a few minutes later for Club Puebla.
But it was all Timbers the rest of the first half as David DaCosta added another goal and Cole Bassett notched a brace. That gave Portland a 4-1 lead at the half.
Can't 🕺 stop 🕺 scoring 🕺 pic.twitter.com/kZF1r96tal
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) August 7, 2026
Lassiter scored again in the second half to also record a brace, and Emiliano Gómez added another late in the game for Club Puebla.
Portland’s blowout makes them an early contender to advance to the knockout round of the Leagues Cup, but stiff competition remains.
The Timbers play two more Leagues Cup games in the week ahead, both at home. On Sunday, they host Liga MX Club América at 7:15 p.m., and then host Club Tijuana on Thursday.
