By Emor Villa
Pride was on the line, and Club América didn’t want to bow out quietly. Despite not losing a single match in regulation, Las Águilas won’t be flying any further in Leagues Cup 2025. The Mexican side earned two points after a 1–1 draw and subsequent penalty shootout win over the Portland Timbers at Q2 Stadium.
América finishes Phase One with five points and, for the first time in tournament history, fails to reach the Knockout Stage. Portland, meanwhile, ends with seven points but must now wait on results from LA Galaxy, FC Cincinnati, and New York Red Bulls to determine its fate.
The Timbers were in control early, taking the lead in the 7th minute through Ariel Lassiter. Portland carried that 1–0 advantage into halftime, holding a provisional ticket to the next round.
But the tide turned in the 51st minute when Colombian defender Jimer Fory received a second yellow card, reducing Portland to 10 men. América wasted no time capitalizing, and just two minutes later, center back Ramón Juárez rose to head home a corner kick and level the score.
Juárez went on to become the standout performer of the night—not only for his goal, but for anchoring América’s backline with crucial defensive plays during Portland’s late push.
Both sides had late chances to break the deadlock, but the match ultimately headed to penalties. América was flawless from the spot, converting all five attempts. The lone miss came from Portland’s Kamal Miller, sealing a bittersweet win for the Liga MX side.
In the end, the result wasn’t enough for either team to celebrate. América finished just one point shy of a top-four finish among Liga MX clubs. Portland remains in a Knockout Stage position but can only wait and hope as other results roll in.
REACTIONS
- Club América Head Coach Andre Jardine
- “To our fans I say we are going to come back stronger. We are really sorry for not winning the Leagues Cup this year, it was our goal this year, but we need to face failure and try to be better for the next international tournaments”
- Portland Timbers Head Coach Phil Neville
- “We played one of our best games tonight. Every player developed in a good way and we have to take this good moment to the MLS season”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Club América
- Central defender Ramón Juárez scored Club América’s goal and saved the team in the backline when necessary. The Mexican National Team player scored his first Leagues Cup goal.
- Portland Timbers
- Ariel Lassiter scored his second goal this Leagues Cup, which is surprising considering he hadn't scored since May 2024.
GAME NOTES
- Club América will miss the Leagues Cup Knockout stage for the first time. Las Águilas qualified in 2023 Phase One, and played the second round in 2024 after qualifying directly.
- Portland could play the Leagues Cup Knockout phase for the third time. Timbers qualified in 2023 and 2024, but were eliminated twice in the round of 32.
- América didn’t lose a game in regulation in Leagues Cup 2025. The Mexico City most popular team tied with Real Salt Lake, Minnesota and Portland.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Club América: Brian Rodríguez, Alejandro Zendejas.
- Portland Timbers: Maxime Crépeau
- Red Card:
- Portland Timbers: Jimer Fory
LOOKING AHEAD
- Portland must wait to know their fate in Leagues Cup 2025. Before that, Timbers will play two games in the MLS regular season. First they will face FC Dallas on August 9th, and then Cincinnati on August 16th.
- Club América will focus on the Liga MX season. Las Águilas will host Querétaro FC on August 9th at Estadio Azteca.
