The Portland Timbers are preparing to host Club Querétaro for the second Leagues Cup match for both clubs, an encounter with special significance for Querétaro’s new American owner, Marc Spiegel.
The trip to Providence Park marks a homecoming for Spiegel, chairman of Innovatio Capital. The Kentucky native, who grew up a devoted Portland Trail Blazers fan idolizing Bill Walton, now brings his own team to compete in the city.
Spiegel’s firm recently made history with its acquisition of Querétaro for a reported $120 million, making it the first Liga MX club to be majority-owned by an American investment group. He views the club as both a significant business venture and a sports project in need of a new direction.
“We chose Liga MX to really plant our flag and certainly have a big task to improve Querétaro, both on the pitch as well as from a business perspective,” Spiegel stated. “It’s an investment in a business, but it plays football. We have to make sure that we’re prioritizing that.”
The team’s current performance underscores the challenge ahead. Following a loss in their Leagues Cup opener and a difficult start in the Torneo Apertura, Spiegel acknowledged the immediate need for improvement.
“People want to support teams that win and compete. So far this year, we have not won. No excuses. We have to get better,” he said, drawing on his background in college sports. “You have to learn how to win. You can’t expect to win until you learn how to win. We need to create that mentality.”
Spiegel has signaled that roster changes may be imminent, aiming to build a team of ambitious players. “We want a team full of hungry players who not just aspire to do well for us, but want to look at how they move to other clubs, whether within the country or abroad,” he explained.
Beyond the roster, Spiegel plans to modernize Querétaro’s home stadium, La Corregidora, to enhance the fan experience. “I think we need to digitize,” he noted, expressing surprise that the stadium lacked a scoreboard during his first visit. “Little things like food and beverage, music—really, the entire experience.”
Despite the on-field challenges, Spiegel said the reception from fans and league officials in Mexico has been overwhelmingly positive. “The number of people who’ve given me hugs and welcomed me and my partners has been amazing,” he said. “We can’t be any happier with the reception that we’ve received.”
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