The Portland Timbers are ready to start their adventure in the always contested and somehow difficult Concacaf Champions League, opening on the road at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.
A Stadium called by in what many national teams of Concacaf as purgatory!
The Portland Timbers will be playing against a Honduran team CD Marathon in San Pedro Sula usually based at Stadium Yankel Rosenthal. This is a team that has won nine titles and with 14 times finishing as runners-up and a pair of Honduran Cups (1994 and 2017) and Honduran Supercup (2019).
The Green Monster currently sits in eighth place in the overall table in Liga Salvavidas of Honduras with 2 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses and with a total of nine points. This team under Argentinian manager Hector Vargas, in the round of 16 this manager is familiar with the Portland Timbers after his former team Olimpia eliminated them five years ago.
Marathon has played twice on Concacaf Champions League and reached the quarterfinals both times in 2018-19 and 2009-10 defeating the likes of Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica, Liga MX side Cruz Azul, and MLS side DC United.
With players to watch in defenders Wilmer Crisanto, Emilio Izaguirre, midfielders Kevin Hoyos, Luis Garrido, Edwin Solano, Kevin Arriaga, Luis Vega; all of these have a nose for goal as well keeper Denovan Torres, known for his defensive skills.
Despite not having a good season and lacking a striker to become a lethal threat to opposing defenses, Vargas sees a tough season located near bottom of the table.
A team coming with a strong pedigree in international competitions and considered a hardened rival to beat at home, for sure this series will be a good tune for the Rose City side ahead of what looks to be a contested season in MLS.
The first game will be held on Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula on Tuesday, April 6 at 3:00 PM PST, and with the second round on Tuesday April 14, at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
Portland Timbers
