Putting in a solid defensive effort and finding a pair of stellar goals, the Portland Timbers beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 on Saturday in the group stage of the inaugural Leagues Cup tournament.
The Leagues Cup pits 47 teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX against each other, and joining the Timbers and San Jose in their group is reigning Liga MX champions Tigres UANL. The top two finishers from each group advance to the 32-team knockout stage, and Portland’s win on Saturday means they need only not to lose in regulation to Tigres in their upcoming matchup in order to advance.
Jaroslaw Niezgoda, starting up top for the injured Franck Boli, got things going on the attack with an attempted chip in the 6th minute that hit the post. While he was ultimately called offside, his effort provided a rare spark for the Timbers on the attack in the first half.
Evander nutmegged his defender in the 13th minute before a shot that was blocked. Three minutes later, San Jose’s Miguel Trauco ripped one at goal that came perilously close to the top corner. Timbers goalkeeper David Bingham leapt for it but didn’t need to make a save.
Jack Skahan left the match due to injury in the 22nd minute for San Jose, replaced by Niko Tsakiris.
Both Zac McGraw and Bingham remained active at the back as Portland struggled to keep possession, with McGraw making key clearances and Bingham holding a strong line in goal.
It was Evander who finally broke through with a goal in the 33rd minute for the Timbers. He found himself wide open in the middle of the field in transition, curling a right-footed strike from outside the box into the top corner of the net to the keeper’s right. Portland led, 1-0, heading into the half.
The Timbers maintained momentum as the second half commenced. Niezgoda and Yimmi Chará combined for a pair of chances in the 46th and 48th minutes, each receiving a shot on a pass from the other.
Also in the 48th, Cristhian Paredes had a curling take for Portland that smacked off the crossbar.
Yimmi Chará found Niezgoda again in the 57th minute with the goalkeeper out of position, but Niezgoda’s shot went straight into a San Jose defender’s chest. Moments later, Felipe Mora was brought on to replace Niezgoda, and Marvin Loría replaced Yimmi Chará.
Mora had an open chance in the 62nd minute, but his shot went wide.
San Jose’s Cade Cowell expressed his frustration with officials in the 67th minute, protesting that Portland’s Juan David Mosquera took him down in the box. The call was close, but ultimately not made.
The Timbers brought on Santiago Moreno for Dairon Asprilla in the 78th minute, his first appearance for the club since a contract dispute escalated to a transfer request, brief absence from training, and subsequent denial of said request and public apology.
Sebastián Blanco came on for the Timbers in the 85th minute, replacing Evander.
In the 86th minute, Loría played a perfect ball ahead to Mora, who streaked down the center of the field and scored with class to make it 2-0 Timbers. It was Mora’s first goal this season since returning from a pair of knee procedures, an emotional moment for the Chilean striker as his minutes continue to see an uptick.
Next up: The Timbers host Tigres UANL in the second of two group stage matches. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday at Providence Park with live broadcasts on FS1, UniMás and free on the Apple TV app.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
