Ariel Lassiter scored in the 88th minute, leading the Portland Timbers to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew in their season opener on Saturday.
Felipe Mora and Antony Alves Santos also found the net for Portland.
For the Crew, Wessam Abou Ali scored a goal and provided an assist, while Diego Rossi added another goal in their first match under coach Henrik Rydstrom.
Lassiter’s goal came after Jimer Fory crossed from the left wing to Kevin Kelsy, whose diving header deflected to the ground just outside the penalty area. Lassiter, who substituted in during the 73rd minute, quickly pounced on the loose ball and scored with his left foot.
The first half saw both teams score twice, along with one goal being disallowed.
Abou Ali opened the scoring for the Crew in the 6th minute. He intercepted a back pass from Portland’s Kristoffer Velde, maneuvered past two defenders, and netted a left-footed shot into the lower-right corner, leaving Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis with no chance.
The Timbers equalized in the 14th minute when Diego Chara intercepted a clearance attempt. Gage Guerra crossed to Mora, who volleyed the ball in from close range past goalie Patrick Schulte.
Portland then took a 2-1 lead in the 20th minute. Velde caused a turnover at midfield, and new signing Cole Bassett seized the ball, advancing 25 yards before passing to Antony. Antony’s shot from 15 yards struck the side netting.
It looked like Velde might have given the Timbers a 3-1 advantage in the 42nd minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Rossi equalized for the Crew in the 44th minute with a powerful shot from 25 yards that Pantemis managed to touch but couldn’t stop from going in. Abou Ali assisted on the goal.
Columbus midfielder Dylan Chambost exited the game in the 25th minute with a suspected hamstring injury and was replaced by Amar Sejdic.