FILE — Portland Timbers' Kristoffer Velde (99) controls the ball during an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Portland, Ore.
Amanda Loman / AP
After a convincing win on Thursday to open their Leagues Cup play, the Portland Timbers struggled Sunday in Providence Park, losing 3-1 to Club América.
The loss came after the Timbers put on an offensive show against Club Puebla, winning 5-2 to put themselves atop the standings in the Leagues Cup tournament. The midseason tourney pits teams from the MLS against Mexico’s Liga MX.
Brian Rodríguez opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a banger on a free kick about 30 yards out to put Club América on top. Kristoffer Velde answered in the 19th minute, stealing the goalkeeper’s pass and getting around two defenders to tie the game up.
But it was all Club América after that.
Isaías Violante struck in the 63rd minute after a rebound off the post in the 63rd minute, and Óscar Perea finished with a shot in the 88th minute.
The loss dropped Portland from first down to 10th in the MLS Phase One standings, making its third and final match a must win to stay in contention for the knockout round. Only the top four MLS teams advance to compete against the top four Liga MX teams. Portland would need a win and several MLS teams to lose to advance.
The Timbers host Club Tijuana on Thursday, Aug. 13. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Tijuana has already been eliminated from knockout contention after losing its first two games.
