By CALEB SONNELAND
Well, that didn't take long. Seven minutes, to be exact.
The Portland Timbers' big summer investment looks to be a worthwhile one as Kris Boyd, the newly-acquired Designated Player, grabbed the go-ahead goal in the 7th minute of Portland's 1-0 win over Swedish outfit AIK.
Boyd was on hand to head home a Jorge Perlaza cross to send the JELD-WEN faithful into a frenzy. The result means that the Timbers finish the preseason unbeaten at 4-0-3.
Portland opens its MLS season next Monday the 12th against the Philadelphia Union (9:30pm ET), where Boyd will undoubtedly get the nod from coach John Spencer once more.
Here is the weekend round up to keep you thinking about Opening Weekend:
GALAXY TOPPLES REVS FOR TOURNEY TITLE, RSL BEATS NEW YORK
Despite limping into the Desert Diamond Cup on goal difference, the Los Angeles Galaxy dispatched the New England Revolution on penalties to take home the trophy last Saturday.
The Revolution had beat the Galaxy 3-2 earlier in the first game of the tournament but failed to repeat the effort as Ryan Guy and Benny Feilhaber missed the decisive penalties in the final loss.
Head coach Bruce Arena fielded a youthful lineup as 17-year-old striker Jack McBean got the nod up front while 2012 draftees Tommy Meyer and Bryan Gaul were paired together in the center of defense.
Despite only one outright win in the competition, the Galaxy and its young guns takes home the preseason tournament silverware.
In the consolation match, Real Salt Lake claimed a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls with Chris Wingert finding the lone goal of the game.
Wingert fired the Royals ahead in the 28th minute with a long-range strike from the edge of the area after receiving the ball in space from Ned Grabavoy.
Both teams fielded strong lineups that included the likes of Theirry Henry, Kenny Cooper and Rafael Marquez for New York while RSL threw Nick Rimando, Jamison Olave and Kyle Beckerman into action.
WHITECAPS EDGE TFC FOR TROPHY, SHEA PENALTY ENOUGH FOR WIN
Last season's MLS whipping boys made light work of what could have been a tough preseason schedule.
The Vancouver Whitecaps is taking home some silverware after toppling Toronto FC 1-0 in the final of the Disney World Pro Soccer Classic with Camilo Sanvezzo notching the winning goal.
Camilo picked up possession in the TFC half after some chaotic defending, skipped into the Reds' area, eluded several challenges before smashing a shot off Toronto's Jay Chapman and into the net for the lead.
Toronto opted to rest several of its more experienced players as a big-time CONCACAF Champions League game with the LA Galaxy on Wednesday looms. The starting lineup included trialists as well as academy players with Eric Avila and Nick Soolsma the most seasoned players on the field.
After trampling Pool 1 and winning the final, the Whitecaps finish the tournament with a +8 goal difference and four clean sheets. Vancouver dispatched Sporting Kansas City, the Houston Dynamo and the Montreal Impact en route to the final.
Vancouver finished its preseason in a loss to the Carolina Railhawks on penalties the next day after finishing 90 minutes locked at 2-2.
In the consolation match of the Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, a Brek Shea penalty was enough to see FC Dallas top the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in a rematch of the Texan rivalry.
Houston's Bobby Boswell was alleged to have fouled Blas Pérez in the box for the penalty which Shea had no problem putting away to give his side the lead.
The same can't be said for Brad Davis, who saw his own penalty saved well by Kevin Hartman in the 50th minute to keep Dallas on top, a lead it held on to for the win.
FIVE STAR SAN JOSE THRASHES CHIVAS
Playing at Portland’s JELD-WEN Field on Sunday, the San Jose Earthquakes thrashed Chivas USA 5-0 to put an exclamation point on the club's 3-1-4 preseason.
Chris Wondolowski opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a low blast for the only goal of the first period. The goal marks Wondolowski's fourth of the preseason.
The second half told a different story as Justin Morrow (52'), Tressor Moreno (80'), Sercan Guvenisik (84'), and Sam Garza (88') polished off the decisive win in style.
COLORADO CRUISES TO FINAL PRESEASON WIN
The Colorado Rapids ended its preseason with a 4-0 win over the Colorado School of Mines with braces coming from Tony Cascio and Jaime Castrillón.
CAROLINA CHALLENGE CUP CALLED OFF
The final round of the Carolina Challenge Cup was unfortunately cancelled due to inclement weather as rain pelted Charleston, South Carolina.
The third slate of games withstanding, DC United sat atop the table with two wins and six points while the Chicago Fire landed second with a win and a loss and three points. Hosts Charleston Battery and the Columbus Crew were level on one point with a draw and loss each.
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Who impressed you during preseason? What can we expect from the Whitecaps this season? How key will Kris Boyd be to Portland?
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