Federico Higuaín scored a cheeky chip from 25 yards as the Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers played to a 3-3 draw on Saturday night at a raucous Providence Park.
The Timbers started out strong, pushing forward early on and scoring the opener after five minutes through Maximiliano Urruti.
The visitors responded in the 14th minute with a brilliant piece of skill from Higuaín.
Will Trapp and Hector Jiménez worked their way through the Timbers midfield before Higuaín took possession of the ball.
The Argentine noticed Donovan Ricketts a step off his line and played a beautifully weighted chip from 25 yards out that caressed the underside of the crossbar on its way into the back of the net.
Timbers defender Alvas Powell was sent off for a late tackle on Chad Barson in the 34th minute, before Higuaín converted a penalty late in the first-half.
Will Johnson levelled the score for the Timbers in the 80th minute, which was answered seconds later by Crew substitute Ethan Finlay, but an 85th minute Gastón Fernández strike rescued a valuable and unlikely point for the hosts.
"Federico is a quality player; we need him to be like this, and he was," Crew coach Gregg Berhalter told MLSsoccer.com
"He's a difference-maker in this league. His performance was certainly exceptional."
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| Columbus Crew player Federico Higuaín celebrates after scoring a goal against Portland Timbers Photo: Facebook/columbuscrew |
The Timbers started out strong, pushing forward early on and scoring the opener after five minutes through Maximiliano Urruti.
The visitors responded in the 14th minute with a brilliant piece of skill from Higuaín.
Will Trapp and Hector Jiménez worked their way through the Timbers midfield before Higuaín took possession of the ball.
The Argentine noticed Donovan Ricketts a step off his line and played a beautifully weighted chip from 25 yards out that caressed the underside of the crossbar on its way into the back of the net.
Timbers defender Alvas Powell was sent off for a late tackle on Chad Barson in the 34th minute, before Higuaín converted a penalty late in the first-half.
Will Johnson levelled the score for the Timbers in the 80th minute, which was answered seconds later by Crew substitute Ethan Finlay, but an 85th minute Gastón Fernández strike rescued a valuable and unlikely point for the hosts.
"Federico is a quality player; we need him to be like this, and he was," Crew coach Gregg Berhalter told MLSsoccer.com
"He's a difference-maker in this league. His performance was certainly exceptional."
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