PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers tightened their grip on the Leagues Cup with a 1-0 victory over Liga MX’s Querétaro on Saturday night at Providence Park, a win that showcased both discipline and momentum as the tournament heats up.
The decisive strike came in the 36th minute from midfielder Cristhian Paredes, who pounced on a loose ball in the box after a deflected Zac McGraw header and blasted it home to give Portland all the offense they would need. The goal not only earned Paredes Man of the Match honors but also cemented his growing reputation as a clutch performer after also scoring in MLS play against LAFC on July 25.
For the Timbers, the win marked their second straight shutout in the competition following a 4-0 dismantling of Atlético de San Luis earlier in the week. Portland now sits atop the MLS side of the Leagues Cup table with six points, boasting both an unbeaten record and an increasingly formidable defensive wall.
The loss confirmed a miserable run for Querétaro, who finished the group stage without earning a single point. Their frustrations mounted late in the first half when Jonathan Perlaza was shown two yellow cards in quick succession—first for a reckless foul on Omir Fernández, then for dissent. Reduced to 10 men, the Liga MX club struggled to mount any serious threat for the remainder of the match.
Querétaro’s best chance came in the 64th minute when Fernando González curled a free kick narrowly wide. Beyond that, their offense was largely neutralized by a well-organized Portland back line and Canadian goalkeeper James Pantemis, who notched two critical saves en route to his third consecutive clean sheet.
The Timbers’ approach in the second half reflected maturity and composure. Up a goal and a man, Portland controlled the tempo, dictating possession and denying Querétaro meaningful opportunities in the final third. Ariel Lassiter, who delivered the corner leading to Paredes’ strike, continued to apply pressure with dangerous crosses, while the midfield unit ensured a steady grip on the match.
This defensive stability has become a defining theme of Portland’s tournament run. The club has now registered three consecutive shutouts across all competitions, with Pantemis emerging as a key figure. The clean sheet against Querétaro was his fifth of the 2025 campaign, reinforcing Portland’s growing reputation as one of the tournament’s most disciplined sides.
For Paredes, the goal was his second in back-to-back starts, highlighting a resurgence in form at a crucial point of the season. Often regarded as a steady, box-to-box presence, Paredes has recently added a scoring punch that could prove decisive as the Timbers chase silverware.
His sharp instincts inside the box, coupled with the ability to put shots on target under pressure, have given Portland a new layer of attacking versatility. With confidence building, Paredes appears poised to become one of the central figures in Portland’s Leagues Cup campaign.
With six points secured, Portland now turns its focus to a marquee matchup against Liga MX powerhouse Club América in Austin, Texas, on August 6 at Q2 Stadium. The stakes are high: only the top four MLS and Liga MX teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
For Portland, a positive result would not only reinforce their dominance in the group stage but also edge them closer to qualifying for the Concacaf Champions League, with the added incentive of a potential berth in the FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon.
Given their recent form and growing defensive confidence, the Timbers will enter the clash with belief that they can challenge one of North America’s most decorated clubs.
The Timbers’ 1-0 win over Querétaro wasn’t just about three points—it was a statement of intent. Portland’s blend of defensive solidity and timely scoring has positioned them as one of the MLS teams to watch in this year’s Leagues Cup. With Paredes finding his rhythm and Pantemis standing tall in goal, the Timbers have momentum, confidence, and a chance to turn this tournament run into something historic.
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