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Another Leagues Cup game, another MLS team that ends up on top, as goalkeeper Alfonso Blanco made two errors and León paid for it with a 2-1 defeat against Portland Timbers, in the debut of both clubs in the tournament.
Playing at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, León took the lead in the 11th minute, with a great goal from Uruguayan Alan Medina, after a from Venezuelan Jhonder Cádiz and everything looked smooth.
But Portland reacted and little by little created danger for Alfonso Blanco's team, until at 40 minutes into the first half they equalized, with a header from defender Zac McGraw against which the emerald goalkeeper barely managed to timidly dive.
Then everything changed towards the end
The game was stuck in the second half, with few arrivals from both. The substitution for of Andrés Guardado for this period gave León some control of the midfield, but there was no clear ideas.
When penalties were already being in the plans to decide the winner, in '89 Zac McGraw reappeared with another header, taking advantage of Alfonso Blanco's moves to make it 2-1.
León has no points at the start of the tournament and Portland is the leader of the group, at least for the time being. León's next game will be on Monday, August 5 against the Colorado Rapids, also in United States, while the Timbers rest on Week 2 of the Leagues Cup.