Real Salt Lake rallies to defeat Timbers 3-2


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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Kyle Beckerman scored in extra time after Jonny Steele tied it in the 89th minute and Real Salt Lake rallied to defeat the Portland Timbers 3-2 on Saturday night.

Steele, a late substitute, got the ball past diving Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins, after RSL (3-1-0) fell behind 2-1 in the second half. Then Beckerman's goal stunned the sellout crowd at Jeld-Wen Field.

Darlington Nagbe scored two goals for the Timbers (1-2-1), becoming the first Portland player with multiple goals in a game since Jorge Perlaza scored a two in the Timbers' home opener last year, their inaugural MLS season.

Alvaro Saborio, returning to the starting lineup for the first time this season, scored on a penalty kick in the first half for RSL, which was opening a stretch where they play three matches in eight days.

Real Salt Lake defender Jamison Olave, right, heads the ball away from Portland Timbers midfielder Franck Songo'o during the second half of their MLS soccer game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, March 31, 2012. Real Salt Lake won 3-2.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Real Salt Lake defender Jamison Olave, right, heads the ball away from Portland Timbers midfielder Franck Songo'o during the second half of their MLS soccer game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, March 31, 2012. Real Salt Lake won 3-2.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

The Timbers appeared to control the ball early on and Perlaza came close to scoring in the 32nd minute, but the ball caught the side netting. Real Salt Lake went up 1-0 in the 39th on Saborio's penalty kick after Portland defender Rodney Wallace was called for a hand ball in the box.

The Timbers evened it in the 48th minute when Nagbe's kick from out in front of the box sailed between two RSL defenders and past goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

After his second goal in the 65th flew over Rimando's outstretched arms, Nagbe pumped his arm before running toward coach John Spencer for a team celebration at the sideline.

RSL was at its healthiest since the start of the season. Defender Nat Borchers made his debut with the team after sitting out with a left quadriceps strain. Saborio and midfielder Javier Morales were also back in RSL's starting lineup after offseason surgery, and midfielder Will Johnson made his season debut after recovering from a strained groin.

The Timbers, meanwhile, were missing a few players, including midfielder Kalif Alhassan, out with a groin strain, and forward Eddie Johnson and defender Hanyer Mosquera, who both have concussions.

Last season the Timbers downed RSL 1-0 in Portland before playing to a 1-all draw in Utah in October.

Both teams were coming off losses: Portland fell 1-0 at New England last weekend and RSL lost 1-0 at home to Chivas USA.

The Timbers Army supporters group urged fans to wear hoodies to the game in support of the international "Show Racism the Red Card" movement.

Some criticized the move, claiming that it appeared to be a statement in the Trayvon Martin case. The Florida teen-ager's death has sparked a debate about whether hooded sweatshirts present a negative image.

Martin, 17, was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla., last month by a neighborhood watch volunteer who has claimed self-defense and has not been arrested. Martin was wearing a hoodie when he was killed.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Anne M. Peterson

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