Big Stakes for Club América and Portland Timbers at Q2 Stadium
The 2025 Leagues Cup Phase One is serving up a real treat this August: Club América will go up against the Portland Timbers in one of the most critical matches of the round. This isn’t just any group stage match—it’s a do-or-die situation where both teams are desperate for a result that could define their tournament run. The stage is the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, with kickoff locked in at 9:30 pm ET (6:30 pm PT) on August 6, 2025. For fans, this showdown is the one to circle on the calendar.
Club América enters the match sitting on 3 points after two rollercoaster games. Their journey so far? Nail-biting draws against Real Salt Lake (2-2) and Minnesota United (3-3), both ending with penalty shootouts. These results highlight Club América’s struggle to clinch a game in regular time. The team can’t risk leaving it late again, with only the top four from each league moving on. Anything less than a solid win here could push the Mexican side closer to the exit door.
The Portland Timbers aren’t just showing up to make up the numbers. They know they have a real shot at locking in their spot among the leaders of the MLS-specific standings. With the condensed group stage and ruthless competition—18 MLS and 18 Liga MX clubs fighting for those precious knockout spots—every game is loaded with pressure. For Portland, holding off a club with América’s pedigree would send a statement across both leagues.
How to Watch, Format and Why This Tournament Matters
If you’re hoping to catch every minute, there’s only one way: Apple TV’s 2025 Leagues Cup broadcasts will air exclusively on the MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+. There are no other broadcast partners or free live streams. Fans who prefer the thrill of live football can grab stadium tickets, starting at $68—a price that’s sure to rise the closer we get to kick-off, especially with Club América’s reputation for packing out stadiums, even in the U.S.
The Leagues Cup itself has turned into a major summer event for both MLS and Liga MX supporters. The format for 2025 has been tweaked for maximum excitement. All 36 teams (half from MLS, half from Liga MX) are divided into groups, leading to 54 cross-league matches just in Phase One. That’s a ton of interleague battles, rivalries, and, inevitably, drama. The fun ramps up because only the best—top four from each league—progress to the knockout stage.
If fighting for a trophy isn’t enough motivation, there’s more on the line. The top three teams in the final Leagues Cup standings will punch their ticket to the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup, a route every ambitious squad wants. For clubs like Club América and Portland Timbers, this isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about reaching another continental stage and boosting club status on an international level.
With so many matches crammed into a month (July 29–August 31), there’s little time for slip-ups or second chances. The Austin crowd is expected to bring serious energy. Both squads will be feeling the heat in every way possible, knowing that every pass, goal, and decision could make or break their tournament dreams.
