Victor Gallardo-Molina
It's the North American soccer event of the summer, and for the second-straight year the Portland Timbers open their Leagues Cup group-play in the comforts of Providence Park.
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Portland goes up against Liga MX's Club León on July 28th at Providence Park!
In their second tournament participation, the Timbers seek to improve on the outcome of last year's round of 32 exit to C.F. Monterrey. As they kickoff this year's Leagues Cup campaign, Phil Neville and the boys in Green & Gold will try and replicate their recent MLS form against the top North American soccer competition. Through 25 regular-season matches, the Timbers currently sit in 8th place in the Western Conference with a record of 10-9-6 and 36 points claimed. It is their play in their last 13 games that has fueled Portland's recent rise, amassing an 8-3-2 record and claiming 72% of their total season points thus far over that span alone.
The Esmeraldas, or Emeralds, as they're know south of the border, are amongst the more successful clubs in Mexico over the last 15 years. Club León have lifted the Liga MX title three times since 2013, most recently being crowned champions in the Guardianes 2020 season. They're also no strangers to international play, having won the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2023. The eight-time Mexican champions will be facing the Timbers for the first time on Sunday, but it won't be their first time at Providence Park. León previously played a friendly in Goose Hollow against Chivas de Guadalajara back in 2016 – a match they won 2-1.
However, this year has not been kind to the club from the state of Guanajuato, as they're off to one of their worst starts in recent history after four games in the Apertura 2024. Sitting 14th of 18 in the table and with a record of 0-1-3 and -3 goal differential, their Leagues Cup campaign this summer could not come at a better time for them as they will look to regroup and reset from their league form in an effort to return to the Concacaf Champions Cup. Led by Uruguayan head coach Jorge Bava, Club León has seeen some flashes of potential from its men. Venezuelan forward Jhonder Cadiz is their leading scorer (3g) and midfielders Luciano Cabral and Edgar Guerra have an assist each. Goalkeeper Alfonos Blanco has recorded one shutout and four saves in his four starts.
Here are some notes to know heading into the Liga MX-MLS clash at Providence Park:
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