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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Offseason acquisition Gaston Fernandez scored on a header in stoppage time to give the Portland Timbers a 1-1 tie with the re-tooled Philadelphia Union in the season opener Saturday night.
The goal in the 93rd minute got past goalkeeper Zac MacMath in driving rain, and the Timbers stole three points from the Union, who got a goal in the 64th minute from Jack McInerney.
The Timbers went 14-15-5 last season to finish atop the Western Conference. Portland advanced to the conference finals in the playoffs, losing to Real Salt Lake. First-year coach Caleb Porter was named MLS Coach of the Year for guiding his team to a stunning 23-game turnaround from the previous season.
The Union went 12-12-10 last season, finishing seventh place in the Eastern Conference and missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
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