DC United have come from two down en route to beating Real Salt Lake 6-4 in a 10-goal classic at the RFK Stadium.
Only two minutes had elapsed before the visitors edged ahead as Joao Plata stunned the home fans by beating Andrew Dykstra from outside the box.
Sebastian Jaime, who got the assist, threatened to double the advantage shortly after but Dykstra was equal to the effort this time as United clung on.
However, it did get worse on 21 minutes when Kyle Beckermann let fly from all of 30 yards as Salt Lake looked to be cruising in the capital.
Nevertheless, the hosts finished the half well and threw themselves a lifeline ahead of the second half when Chris Rolfe reduced the arrears.
Devon Sandoval fouled Bobby Boswell in the area on 53 minutes to concede a penalty, and Rolfe made no mistake from 12 yards as he levelled up the contest. On the hour mark, United completed the remarkable turnaround in style, as Taylor Kemp bent a fine effort home from range in what proved to be the catalyst for a madcap few minutes.
First, Aaron Maund netted a prompt equaliser, before Fabian Espindola fired United into a 4-3 lead moments later to delight the fans at RFK Stadium. On 68 minutes, the pendulum swung back in favour of the visitors as Abdoulie Mansally made it 4-4 with an angled effort to beat Dykstra from inside the box.
There were two final twists, however, when Perry Kitchen and Nick DeLeon struck in the final 10 minutes to settle a 10-goal thriller in Washington.
Shane Callaghan
