Having clinched a spot for the next round, Portland now waits to see who they face next.
Finishing the group stage of Leagues Cup 2023 with a 1-1-0 record, the Portland Timbers have guaranteed a top-two finish in their three-team, West 1 Group, advancing them to the Round of 32 in the tournament. Leagues Cup, a competition involving all 29 MLS and 18 Liga MX teams, wraps up the group stage this weekend and early next week.
With three points through two games, Portland is assured of advancing, however, their next opponent is to be determined. With Tigres UANL traveling to face the San Jose Earthquakes this Sunday evening (8pm PT, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), that result will determine final group positions.
As to whom the Timbers would face in the next round, here’s how the other brackets are looking heading into the weekend.
If Portland finishes first in West 1:
- The Timbers would play the West 3 runner-up – either Vancouver Whitecaps FC or LA Galaxy as Club León has already clinched first in West 3.
- The Galaxy and Whitecaps played on Sunday, July 30 to determine who takes second place in the group.
- _UPDATE: Whitecaps won, 2-1, over the Galaxy, and finishes second in Group West 3._
If Portland finishes second in West 1:
- The Timbers would play the West 2 Group winner. West 2 includes C.F. Monterrey, Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC. Currently Monterrey leads the group via goal differential.
- Monterrey played Seattle on Sunday, July 30.
- _UPDATE: Monterrey won, 4-2, over Seattle to win West 2 Group._
The Round of 32 marks the start of single-elimination play, with four games in each region (West, East, North and South) for a total of 16 matches. From there, the bracket continues through to an eventual Leagues Cup Final on Saturday, Aug. 19.
