RSL leaves it late in Timbers defeat

Portland, OR – Real Salt Lake stole three points at Jeld-Wen Field on Saturday as two goals in the dying minutes helped the club earn a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers.

Alvaro Saborio put the visitors in front in the 39th minute, but the home side responded after the break to the tune of two goals from Darlington Nagbe, who has amassed three goals from Portland's four matches.

Portland looked destined for its second home win of the season, but Jonny Steele equalized for Real Salt Lake in the 89th minute before Kyle Beckerman sealed the win in stoppage time, capping an improbable win for the visitors.

Real Salt Lake took the lead six minutes before the break. Rodney Wallace handled the ball in the box and referee Mark Geiger immediately pointed to the spot. Saborio, Salt Lake's leading scorer from last season, converted the ensuing penalty for his first goal of the new campaign.

Nagbe leveled the score for Portland with a brilliant solo effort less than three minutes into the second half.

The winger collected a giveaway from the Real Salt Lake defense and made his way through traffic to get to the top of the box. Nagbe then unleashed a low shot that beat Rimando at his near post.

Nagbe completed his brace in stunning fashion after a great exchange with Diego Chara. The duo played an aerial give-and-go to release Nagbe, who took the ball off his thigh and ripped a volley over Rimando's head and into the back of the net.

Timbers supporters were in full song, confident of three points, but they were silenced in the 89th minute when Steele slotted a shot through traffic and past the outstretched hand of Troy Perkins to level the score for Salt Lake.

If it was possible for Jeld-Wen to get any quieter, it did in second-half stoppage time as Beckerman stunned the crowd with a late winner. The midfield maestro latched on to a cross from Fabian Espindola and stuffed a one-time effort past Perkins in unconventional fashion to see RSL clinch its third win of the season.

With nine points from its opening four contests, Real Salt Lake (3-1-0) will head home to prepare for its next encounter, a meeting with the lowly Montreal Impact on Wednesday.

Portland (1-2-1) has lost two straight to remain on four points. John Spencer's men will look to end the poor run on April 7 when they host Chivas USA.