Three days ago, the Portland Timbers were in the Bronx, playing a Major League Soccer game on a Major League Baseball field, working to knock off one of the hottest teams on their circuit. One 1-0 victory later, mission accomplished. The Timbers were leaving New York with their 15-day, five-match stretch off to an ideal start.
Tonight, having traveled across the continent, the Timbers will be in Los Angeles, playing a U.S. Open Cup game on an actual soccer field, working to knock off the best team in the country (7:30pm PT, ESPN+). If Sunday’s result is repeated, Portland will be into their second Open Cup semifinal, returning home with a measure of revenge, having made progress against what may prove their season’s most significant obstacle.