The Portland vs Club Tijuana matchup delivered an entertaining Leagues Cup 2026 contest at Providence Park, with the Portland Timbers producing a 3-1 comeback victory over Liga MX side Club Tijuana. The result gave Portland a positive finish to Phase One, while Tijuana ended its tournament campaign without a win.
Portland vs Club Tijuana Result
The Timbers vs Tijuana game was played on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. Portland entered the match with one win and one defeat from its first two Leagues Cup matches, while Club Tijuana had lost both of its opening games.
Portland ultimately came from behind to win 3-1. Tijuana scored first through Mourad El Ghezouani, but the Timbers responded with three goals to take control of the match.
Timbers – Tijuana Match Highlights
Club Tijuana made the stronger start by taking a 1-0 lead in the first half. Portland, however, continued to create attacking opportunities and eventually found the equalizer.
Kevin Kelsy scored for Portland before halftime, bringing the Timbers level. Antony then put Portland ahead in the second half before Ariel Lassiter added another goal to complete the 3-1 comeback.
The victory was particularly significant because it marked the first meeting between the Portland Timbers and Club Tijuana in club history. Portland had been scheduled to face the Liga MX club in the final Phase One match of its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign.
Leagues Cup 2026 Context
The Leagues Cup brings MLS and Liga MX clubs together in a cross-league competition. In the 2026 format, clubs played three Phase One matches against teams from the opposite league, with the strongest teams advancing to the knockout rounds.
Portland hosted Club Puebla, Club América and Club Tijuana during its Phase One schedule. The Timbers entered the Tijuana match knowing that their qualification hopes had already ended following other results earlier in the evening.
Despite that disappointment, Portland finished Phase One with a convincing home victory.
Timbers vs Tijuana: Portland’s Performance
The Timbers showed resilience after falling behind. Rather than allowing Tijuana to control the match, Portland gradually increased its attacking pressure and turned the game around.
The home-field advantage at Providence Park was also important. Portland had hosted all three of its Phase One matches, giving the club familiar surroundings throughout the tournament.
The victory also provided a positive start for new head coach Martà Cifuentes, who was on the Portland sideline for his first match in charge.
Club Tijuana’s Leagues Cup Campaign
For Club Tijuana, the Portland vs Club Tijuana match concluded a difficult Phase One campaign. The Xolos had previously suffered defeats against Austin FC and San Diego FC, leaving them without a point before facing Portland.
Tijuana did manage to score first against the Timbers, but the Mexican side could not maintain its advantage. Portland’s three unanswered goals after the deficit ultimately decided the contest.
What the Result Means
The Timbers – Tijuana result means Portland closed its Leagues Cup campaign with a victory, although the club did not advance to the quarterfinals. The knockout field was determined after Phase One.
For Portland, the win offers momentum heading back into its MLS schedule and gives Cifuentes an encouraging first result as head coach.
For Tijuana, the 3-1 defeat ended its 2026 Leagues Cup run after three consecutive losses.
Portland vs Club Tijuana: Final Takeaway
The Portland vs Club Tijuana matchup was ultimately a memorable night for the Timbers. Tijuana took an early lead, but Portland responded with three goals and secured a 3-1 victory at Providence Park.
The Timbers vs Tijuana meeting also created a new chapter between an MLS club and a Liga MX opponent, with Portland earning the first win in the clubs’ history. While the result was not enough to send Portland into the knockout stage, it gave the Timbers a strong finish to their Leagues Cup 2026 campaign.
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