By Kelvin Loyola
Portland enters their 3rd matchday in good position after having won their first two games. They now face a recently eliminated América team that will look to play for pride and experience.
HEAD TO HEAD
- 3rd meeting all-time
- América holds one win and one draw against the Timbers, with their last encounter taking place in 2021.
- Record at Leagues Cup: Club América (5-4), Portland (5-3)
LAST FIVE GAMES
- Club América
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 2 Losses
- Have gone to penalty shootout each game this tournament (1 win and 1 loss).
- Portland Timbers
- 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
- Coming off back-to-back clean sheet wins over Atlético San Luis and Querétaro.
MAIN STORYLINES
- Club América desperately needs defensive improvement; they have not recorded a clean sheet in their last eight matches and have conceded five goals in their two Leagues Cup games.
- Portland are the only team in the tournament yet to concede a goal. They're +5 goal differential is 2nd only to the Sounders (+8).
- Chilean defender Igor Lichnovsky will miss the match for América due to a red card received against Minnesota United.
- All five Timbers goals in the Leagues Cup have come from five different players, showing their balanced attack.
KEY FACTORS
- Club América
- Wing play will be crucial if América hopes to break down the Timbers. Brian Rodríguez and Henry Martín could be decisive in the game.
- All eyes will be on USMNT No. 10 Alejandro Zendejas. Now playing a more central role, Zendejas has been in excellent form for Las Águilas and is making a strong case for a national team recall.
- With América’s shaky defense, goalkeeper Luis Malagón will need to come up big to help keep a clean sheet and give his team a fighting chance to reach the knockout stage.
- Portland Timbers
- Head coach Phil Neville has rotated his squad smartly, and with six points and no goals conceded, the Timbers continue their strong showings in short tournaments like the MLS is Back. América will have a tough time figuring out what starting XI they'll face.
- Striker Kevin Kelsy will be a key attacking threat. In MLS play, the Venezuelan has 5 goals in 23 matches.
- Club legend Diego Chará remains a dominant force in midfield and continues to add to his club appearance record.
What to Expect
What promised to be one of the tournament top matchups had a bit of the sting taken off it after last nights results eliminated Club América. It's still an important game for the undefeated Timbers who hope to lock up their spot in the Quarterfinals as they face a true test against one of Liga MX’s most storied clubs.
Even with a victory, América was not guaranteed to advance — and unfortunately the other results did not go their way. But still, they must now focus on playing spoilers and beating the Timbers to end their run at the Quarterfinals.
For Portland, a deep Leagues Cup run could help ease the sting of a middling MLS campaign. Though currently in a playoff spot, the Timbers aren’t viewed as contenders in the Western Conference or MLS Cup race.
