Portland Timbers have recorded a 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew thanks to a Fanendo Adi brace.
Only two minutes had elapsed before the hosts threatened an ideal start when Waylon Francis was kept out by goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey.
Portland heeded the warning and grew into the contest, with Rodney Wallace finding himself denied by Steve Clark on the 15-minute mark.
The pendulum swung back in favour of the Timbers, and this time they took full advantage when Adi fired beyond Clark midway through the first half.
It was not enough to earn a half-time lead, though, as Columbus roared back and equalised in timely fashion when Kei Kamara headed home Federico Higuain's cross to ensure parity at the break.
A topsy-turvy contest favoured Portland once again five minutes after the interval when Nigerian forward Adi struck his second of the match.
Columbus got back into the attacking ascendancy but could not find the net as Justin Meram headed a chance wide of the upright, while the Timbers defended their lead compactly.
Crew continued to press their visitors, looking to create another opportunity for the MLS's top scorer Kamara, but they failed to break down a stubborn Portland outfit who took all three points.
Shane Callaghan
