Timbers welcome new coach with a 3-1 win over Club Tijuana

Pink sky at night, Timbers delight. A pastel sky framed Providence Park as Portland hosted Club Tijuana in their last match of Leagues Cup 2026. It was also the first match with Timbers’ new head coach, Martí Cifuentes, at the helm. Interim head coach, Jack Cassidy, handed over the club after elevating them to 8th place in the MLS Western Conference with his impressive 4-1-1 record – including beating Seattle twice (it never gets old).

League's Cup Portland Timbers v. Tijuana

Kristopher Velde v. Tijuana (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Portland started off with a free kick just a yard or so off of the corner in the 3rd minute. Kristopher Velde’s service in was knocked out for real corner kick. Ari Lassiter took the kick and connected with Captain Finn Surman for a header that was blocked by Aarón Mejía.

Portland spent the majority of the 1st half pressing much more for forward than they have played in this season. Jimer Fory drew a foul resulting in a free kick in the 7th minute. Eric Miller’s header was saved by Xolos keeper, Salim Hernández.

Club Tijuana scored their 1st goal of the tournament in the 19th minute when Mourad El Ghezouani took his second shot of the match. Finn Surman had done his best with multiple clearances but the ball always found it’s way back to a Tijuana player. El Ghezouani’s 1st shot was a header in the 15th minute that was an easy collection for Trey Muse. Muse started in goal again while James Pantemis continues to follow concussion protocol.

Ari Lassiter v. Tijuana (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Portland struggled to find a way in towards the goal against a very physical Xolo’s team. Ari Lassiter took a shot in the 23rd minute that was saved by the keeper. David Da Costa sent a rocket from center goal beyond the arc 10m minutes later, but it sailed over the cross bar.

Head Referee, Ismael Cornejo, charged Alan Vega with Club Tijuana with a tactical yellow card in the 36th minute. This was the only yellow card of match for Xolos. The physicality of Club Tijuana was starting to cause unnecessary fouls and degrade their quality of defense.

José Caicedo started a play in the 40th with a short pass to Da Costa who found Jimer Fory on the left side. Fory had been a force of power for the Timbers as the intensity increased, using his size to out power defenders and fight for each possession. Fory created some space and sent a cross skimming the 6 yard line to the feet of Kevin Kelsy. Kelsy met the cross in stride and with one touch, found the equalizer for Portland.

Kevin Kelsy after scoring against Club Tijuana Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Kamal Miller was given Portland’s first caution of the night for getting caught with his arm around the neck of Mourad El Ghezouani a minuter after the goal. Kristopher Velde’s caution for a foul on Jackson Porozo was the last call for the Timbers before the half time whistle.

The start of the 2nd half saw a fantastic block by Finn Surman in the 50th to prevent a goal. On the return play, Lassiter’s shot was blocked by Alan Vega but not cleared far enough. Velde sent a strike towards the cross bar that required Salim Hernández to leap with both arms overhead to save it. He also saved Caicedo’s attempt 2 minutes later.

Cifuentes made a double substitution in the 56th bringing on Antony and Omir Fernández for Velde and Cole Bassett, respectively. Velde was visibly upset with this decision. When asked about it post match, Martí said he made substitutions with the weekend match against Chicago in mind more than any individual reasons. Club Tijuana made a triple substitution in the 60th.

Kevin Kelsy v. Tijuana (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Kevin Kelsy was looking for the go ahead goal in the 53rd with a short shot off a long pass served in by Lassiter. Hernández was able to block the shot but the ball did not get cleared properly. Kelsy collected and crossed to Antony, earning Kevin an assist and a goal Portland scored in front of the Timbers Army and Providence Park erupted in chants and green smoke.

After the goal Portland made another double substitution. Kelsy’s and Da Costa’s night was over. Joao Ortiz took over in the midfield for David and new signing, Vincent Janssen, stepping in for Kevin. Joao had a shot blocked in the 68th after being on the pitch for only 2 minutes.

Antony joined Kelsy with a goal and an assist in the match when he threaded a tight pass across the face of goal to Lassiter. The play originated with a short goal kick by Hernández that Joao was able to collect and pass to Antony, who’s speed created enough space to get the cross to Ari. One touch by Lassiter and the Timbers were up 3-1 in the 77th minute.

Antony sending the cross for an assist (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

Portland’s last substitution gave T2 star Sawyer Jura some more minutes on the 1st team when he came on for Jimer Fory in the 81st.

Finn Surman was responsible for another blocked goal in the 84th minute and Joao Ortiz took a shot in the 86th that was blocked by Alejandro Magallón. The remainder of the match saw Club Tijuana desperately trying to scrape their way back. They had 4 missed or saved shots in the final 8 minutes of play, including the 4 minutes of stoppage time.

Joao Ortiz was given a yellow card in the middle of the scramble as he fouled Adonis Preciado to prevent him from gaining ground during a counter attack as the last play of regulation time. Preciado also took the last shot of the match in 90+4 but missed to the right.