Portland Timbers Shine in Early Leagues Cup Stages with Paraguayan Flair

As the Leagues Cup begins to unfold, the Portland Timbers have quickly found their stride, thanks in no small part to their Paraguayan talent.

Under the guidance of Phil Neville, the team chalked up their second win, this time besting Querétaro in the opening phase of the tournament showcasing MLS and Liga MX teams.

Portland stands as the sole MLS club to boast a perfect score after two rounds, securing six invaluable points that nearly guarantee their spot in the quarter-finals, with a substantial contribution from Cristhian Paredes.

South American and Latin influence remains a hallmark of the Timbers’ lineup, providing a rich variety to their strategy in Phase One of the tournament.

Waving the Paraguayan flag high, Cristhian Paredes netted his second goal of the year—and his first in the Leagues Cup—propelling the ‘Lumberjacks’ to the top of the MLS standings after two matches.

The South American connection continues to fuel Portland’s potent offense, which had already shown promise in the regular season, currently hovering around fourth or fifth place in the Western Conference.

Portland maintains its form despite the absence of key players like Antony due to injury, along with David Da Costa and Santi Moreno.

In a tournament brimming with drama and spectacle, the Timbers’ dual victories—a 4-0 win against Atlético de San Luis and a 1-0 victory over Querétaro—put them in an excellent position. Every moment matters in this competition, and Portland is acutely aware.

Looking ahead, the Timbers face a less daunting path, yet they must prepare to clash with Club América on August 6 (9:30 pm - MLS Season Pass).

With advancement nearly secured, the goal is to maintain their harmonious play, as a strong start needs to be met with a finely tuned finish in tournaments like this.