América-Timbers Drama Fades as Portland Reloads with Velde and Antony

The Portland Timbers faced a wave of disruption ahead of their high-stakes América – Timbers clash in the Leagues Cup, as winger Santiago Moreno failed to report for the match. However, a timely boost came in the form of a long-awaited signing and the return of their top scorer. This provided a stabilising force as the club continued its pursuit of silverware.

Moreno, 25, did not travel to Austin for the Wednesday fixture against Liga MX giants Club América, with the club confirming his absence as unexcused. According to ESPN, the Colombian has been the subject of a transfer bid from Brazilian side Fluminense. The offer was rejected by Portland, who cited concerns over valuation and timing, as only ten regular season matches remain.

But amid the off-field uncertainty, Portland may have found its footing again, with reinforcements both on the pitch and in the transfer market, and pushed América to the brink.

Moreno Departure Overshadows Match Build-Up

Hours before kickoff, the Timbers were rocked by news that Moreno had returned to Colombia, reportedly without club permission or an approved deal in place. The club maintained communication with Major League Soccer, calling the absence a breach of professional obligations.

The forward had already recorded four goals and five assists in 22 matches this season and was viewed as a vital piece of Portland's offensive output. Yet this isn't the first time tensions have surfaced; in 2023, he allegedly skipped training in another transfer push, as KATU reports.

Portland head coach Phil Neville described the match against América as a 'cup final,' but the internal distraction cast a shadow over preparations. With a place in the quarterfinals at stake, the club faced a stern challenge both on and off the pitch.

Despite the turbulence, Portland delivered a disciplined and resilient performance. It held América to a 1-1 draw through 90 minutes of regulation.

América Edges Portland in Penalties After 1–1 Draw

Despite pre-match turbulence, Portland produced a composed and competitive performance against Club América, starting with an early breakthrough. Antony opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a left-footed strike inside the box, giving the Timbers a 1–0 lead.

Brian Rodríguez responded for América in the 36th minute, levelling the score at 1–1. The second half featured chances on both ends, with América dominating possession and Portland relying on counter-attacks and defensive organisation to hold firm.

No goals followed after the break, and the match moved to penalties. Club América converted all five attempts, while Portland missed once and had another saved, resulting in a 5–3 shootout victory for the Mexican side and eliminating the Timbers from Leagues Cup contention.

Velde Arrival Brings Timely Firepower

To help fill the void, Portland made a significant move in the transfer window, reportedly acquiring Kristoffer Velde from Olympiakos. According to I-5 Corridor, the Norwegian winger is set to occupy a Designated Player (DP) spot, a roster position reserved for top earners under MLS rules.

The 25-year-old, who has also represented Norway at the senior international level, brings experience from European competitions, scoring 29 goals with 18 assists over two seasons in Poland before netting six more in Greece last year.

While the club has yet to confirm the signing officially, Neville's comments during a press conference strongly indicated the deal's completion. 'You'll see that the owners have backed us in a big way,' he said, referencing support from owner Merritt Paulson and the club's front office.

Antony Returns Ahead of Knockout Push

Adding to the renewed momentum was the return of Antony, Portland's leading scorer this season. After a two-month spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the forward participated fully in training ahead of the Club América vs. Portland Timbers fixture.

Neville confirmed that the Brazilian was 'ready to start'. And his comeback arrives at a crucial juncture. Antony had already tallied six goals and seven assists in just 18 league appearances before the injury halted his progress.

The timing could not be better for a club navigating through its current situation. Portland has yet to concede a goal in Leagues Cup play, notching clean sheets in wins over Querétaro and Atlético de San Luis, according to MLS Soccer.

High Stakes End in Narrow Exit

The América – Timbers match brought together two teams with contrasting approaches. Club América had entered the stage having scored five goals in their two group matches, though not without defensive lapses in draws against Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United.

Portland, by contrast, leaned on structure and discipline, with goalkeeper James Pantemis once again anchoring a backline that absorbed sustained pressure. As noted by CBS Sports, América were pre-match favourites, but Portland's strategy nearly delivered an upset.

With the shootout loss bringing an end to their Leagues Cup campaign, Portland will now turn its focus back to MLS play. The challenge ahead lies in integrating Kristoffer Velde and maximising Antony's return as the club pushes toward the postseason with or without Santiago Moreno in the mix.