When the ball starts rolling at CITYPARK on Friday, August 9, at 7:30 PM, the hearts of St. Louis CITY SC fans will be racing, and for good reason. The home team faces the Portland Timbers in the highly anticipated Round of 32 of the Leagues Cup.
CITY SC is coming off a draw against FC Juárez, a duel that ended with a bitter taste of defeat in the penalty shootout. But don't be fooled, this team knows how to bounce back like no other. Despite the setback, they finished as runners-up in Group West 3, proving they have plenty of grit and determination. Now, against the Portland Timbers, the mission is clear: advance and show the soccer world that St. Louis is a force to be reckoned with.
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The CITY SC coach knows he has a trump card: Simon Becher. The new summer signing has already shown his worth, scoring his first goal for the team with a beautiful header from an Eduard Löwen corner. Löwen, by the way, is a name the fans know well. With 21 goal contributions in 25 games, he is the maestro of this team. When Löwen is involved in the plays, CITY SC boasts an impressive record of 16 wins, 2 draws, and just 3 losses.
But let's not underestimate the Portland Timbers. This team comes in with high morale, after defeating Club León and the Colorado Rapids, securing the top spot in Group West 5. They not only won but also convinced, with an impressive goal difference of 6-1. And the most remarkable part? Five different players scored in these games, showcasing the diversity and unpredictability of the Timbers' attack. CITY SC will need all their defensive cunning to contain this offensive avalanche.
The history between these two teams is short but already carries a good dose of rivalry. In three encounters, each team has won once, and there has been one draw. The last clash, a goalless draw at CITYPARK, made it clear that both sides have powerful weapons, and any slip-up could be fatal.
So, what can we expect from this grand showdown? On one side, a CITY SC hungry for victories and eager to prove they can go far in the Leagues Cup. On the other, a confident Portland Timbers determined to continue their good run.