July 29, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers took all three points in their opening match of Leagues Cup 2024, defeating Liga MX side Club León 2-1 on Sunday night at Providence Park. Zac McGraw scored in the 41st and 90th minute, with Evander contributing to both scores, as the Timbers finished the night at the top of West Group 5.
McGraw at the Death
Zac McGraw’s goal in the 90th minute tonight marked Portland’s sixth goal in the 90th minute or later across all competitions this year. It was McGraw’s second goal of the night which secured the first brace of his professional career. Notably, McGraw became the first Timbers defender to score a brace since Larrys Mabiala did so in a 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders on June 30, 2018. The goals marked McGraw’s first since he scored against St. Louis CITY SC on March 11, 2023. The defender’s two goals were the first Portland have scored off corner kicks in its 2024 campaign.
Leagues Cup Returns
Tonight marked the start of the Timbers’ second-ever Leagues Cup campaign. Next up, Portland will host the Colorado Rapids for its second group-stage match of the international tournament on Thursday, August 1. The top two teams of each group advance to the Knockout Stage Round of 32. The champion and the second and third-place finishers qualify for the Concacaf Champions League and have an opportunity to earn a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup. The club went 1-2-0 in the inaugural Leagues Cup tournament in 2023, making it to the Knockout Stage Round of 32 before being eliminated by eventual semifinalists C.F. Monterrey.
Tournament Leaders
With tonight’s victory, the Timbers picked up their second-ever Leagues Cup win (2-2-0) and first against Liga MX opposition. Zac McGraw’s two-goal performance against Club León made him Portland’s joint-leading scorer in Leagues Cup play, alongside Evander (2). He became the third Timber to score in the tournament, joining Evander and Felipe Mora (1). Additionally, Evander leads the team in Leagues Cup goal contributions with four (2G, 2A).
Goal-Scoring Plays
LEO – Alan Medina (Jhonder Cádiz), 12th minute: A long ball sent from Club León’s back line found the head of Jhonder Cádiz, who nodded the ball into the path of Alan Medina. The midfielder ran onto the ball as it settled, using his right foot to fire a volley from outside the box into the left side of the goal.
POR – Zac McGraw (Evander), 41st minute: An…
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