The Portland Timbers bounced back from their defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps last week with a resounding 3-1 victory over 10-man Real Salt Lake.
Nat Borchers had the chance to hand the home side the lead in the fifth minute when he latched onto Javier Morales's cross into the box, but he could only place his header wide of the target.
Salt Lake did take the lead in the 23rd minute when Morales's delivery narrowly missed the head of Chris Schuler, but Luke Mulholland controlled the ball and placed an effort into the bottom corner.
Donovan Ricketts kept the Timbers in the game minutes later as he made an excellent stop to prevent Olmes Garcia from doubling the home side's lead.
Portland drew level in the 36th minute when Fanendo Adi rose highest in the area to power Diego Valeri's cross past Jeff Attinella with a headed effort.
Mulholland looked to restore his side's advantage as he fired an ambitious effort towards the top corner from 25 yards, and his shot looked to be heading in before Ricketts got a hand to turn it over the bar.
The Timbers took advantage of the stop from Ricketts seconds later as Adi turned in a rebound from close range after Attinella had parried Darlington Nagbe's shot.
Matters got worse for Real when they were reduced to 10 men as Tony Beltran was sent off for a second bookable offence following a poor challenge on Nagbe.
Portland secured the three points as they were awarded a penalty after Schuler handled the ball in the area. Will Johnson took the spot kick and fired his shot into the bottom corner to seal the victory.
Simon Sinclair
