Portland Timbers completed a five-minute comeback to beat Colorado Rapids 2-1 at Providence Park.

Colorado started the contest brightly, and came close to opening the scoring in only the seventh minute when Chris Klute's powerful strike from a tight angle was tipped wide by Donovan Ricketts.

A goalmouth scramble ensured the deadlock was broken nine minutes later when Deshorn Brown took advantage of some hesitant Portland defending from a corner to tap home from close range.

The Timbers applied pressure midway through the first half and were inches away from levelling the scores when Liam Ridgewell, who was making his first start for the club, headed wide of the post.

Ricketts then made a vital save just moments before the break to deny Dillon Powers and prevent the hosts from falling further behind.

Portland started the second half strongly, but wasted another chance to level the scores when Darlington Nagbe dragged his effort wide after being picked out by Diego Chara.

Colorado were left frustrated once again in the 55th minute as Ricketts continued to excel under pressure by getting a strong hand on Dillon Serna's strike.

The home side were finally level with just 18 minutes remaining as Jack Jewsbury's inviting cross found substitute Maximiliano Urruti, who converted the equaliser past a helpless Clinton Irwin.

The Timbers had their tails up and just five minutes after the equaliser they were level, Diego Valeri with the finish to put the hosts ahead.

Having trailed for the majority of the match, the home side were happy to retain the one-goal lead for the final 10 minutes and see the game out for the three points.