For a look back at match highlights and some thoughts about the Portland Timbers match versus the Columbus Crew to start the 2016 regular season, you can view the first part of our match analysis. There are also links noted here for the MLS official recap, official match stats, quotes and notes, video highlights, complete match commentary and timeline, other assorted statistics, post-match video comments from Timbers Coach Caleb Porter and several players plus the box score and MLS chalkboard that measures statistics like passing rate, tackles, and headers. Here are the ratings for each Timbers player that appeared in the match, plus overall ratings for the coaching staff and team on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (epic).

GK Adam Kwarasey (90 minutes): 7. Kwarasey wasn't called on to do much, and the one goal that was conceded completely caught him - and the rest of the Timbers defense totally flat footed. While Federico Higuain nearly got a second from a near impossible turn and angle, I thought Adam was solid where he needed to be in terms of distribution and communication, especially with a new left back in the fold in Taylor and a returning center back in Ridgewell that hadn't been training with the first team until recently. It's a good sign when your keeper can have a relatively easy day on the pitch and make all the plays necessary for his side.

D Jermaine Taylor (90 minutes): 7. I have only followed Taylor in situations where he's been playing the Timbers, but in researching his background, most analysts indicate that Jermaine is solid, doesn't make mistakes, calm under pressure, and keeps his cool. We saw plenty of that from Jermaine in terms of clearances and over lapping runs where he was in the right spot, and he didn't get flustered after the really soft caution he earned second into the 2nd half of play. I was generally pleased with his work, and feel that Taylor is going to fit in nicely within the Timbers backline.

With Chris Klute still not available, it was up to Jermaine Taylor to hold the fort at left back. Considering he was still adjusting to playing with Liam Ridgewell plus the rest of the defensive line, I thought Jermaine's effort was very solid for the afternoon

D Nat Borchers (90 minutes): 6. Nat has certainly been the busy guy in the offseason with interviews, but in each instance I saw in practice, nobody worked harder than him to get acclimated. Borchers was his usual workmanlike self on the afternoon, making good tackles and blocks when necessary, and the only mistake he made on the day was a late run to try and mark Higuain on the broken play and he was a step late in trying to defend the circus shot to goal. Outside of that, Nat worked very well along the backline to help keep Columbus at bay.

D Liam Ridgewell (90 minutes): 6. After spending his offseason playing from Brighton, Hove & Albion on a short term loan and then dealing with a slight calf injury, it was good to see Liam ready for the opener after successfully completing training prior to the match. His presence alone gives the backline plenty of confidence, and there was only a minimum of errors on the day - Borchers' miss in addition to Ridgy and Nat going after the line instead of following Afful on a first half cross that left the Crew defender 1 v 1 on Kwarasey. It's a work in progress, and while the win is good, I know this group is looking for improvement next time.

D Alvas Powell (90 minutes): 6.5. As I was tweeting about the match, somebody on my Twitter timeline indicated that he thought nobody on the Timbers side spent so much time on the ragged edge of disaster, yet still came out on top as much as Powell. I would have to agree with that sentiment because nobody was pressured quite as much as the young right back, and he certainly had plenty of rushed touches all afternoon. In the end, however, the ball ended up in the right spot without issue. He was more successful in getting forward in support of the offense, which I think opened up possibilities for the Timbers.

The diminutive destroyer was at it again, and the Timbers were able to use Diego Chara's effort as a springboard for the afternoon.

M Diego Chara (90 minutes): 8.5. For me, Chara was the man of the match followed very closely by the work of Mr. Valeri - as he was the main impediment in keeping the Crew at bay for most of the match. While the Timbers collectively were allowing Columbus to possess the ball and attack at will by giving space, they were counting upon Chara's ability to create turnovers through expert positioning, well timed tackles, or just intercepting poor passes. Chara not only did this in spades all afternoon, but he was also able to work as an outlet on the break to either start the counter or be available as an option.

M Darlington Nagbe (90 minutes): 7. It was a relatively quiet day for Nagbe for the most part, but there were moments of pure effectiveness and energy out on the pitch for number 6. He did have a shot that struck the crossbar in the second half, and he was mostly involved on the counter attack as an outlet and distributor, but with his creativity and vision, that is exactly what you want from one of your best available playmakers. I am glad to see that all the work with the USMNT over the offseason hasn't affected his tenacity, vision or ability to move within traffic, and I'm thinking we will probably see a Nagbe goal sooner than later this season.

M Lucas Melano (90 minutes): 6.5. One of the big surprises within the starting eleven was revealed upon the start of the match when Melano lined up on the right hand side and Asprilla was flanked on the left. In all previous iterations, it had usually been Asprilla flanked right, but the move allowed Melano to pour forward even more with impunity and support from Powell. I was impressed with his defensive contributions, but it was also good to see him move on the break easily and work well within the passing interplay. His shooting was a bit rusty, but the effort certainly was there all afternoon.

One of the big switches of the afternoon was watching Dairon Asprilla out to the left with Lucas Melano patrolling on the right. Asprilla not only contributed on the offensive end with numerous shots and solid movement, but he was also active on the defensive end.

M Dairon Asprilla (90 minutes): 7.5. The other participant in the lineup switcheroo was Asprilla, who easily was the player that benefited most from the extra space and ability to move on the counter. I lost track on how many times Dairon was able to break out with the ball and very few Crew players to deal with. Had Dairon's finishing been more on target, he likely could have earned a hat trick on the day, but I do feel he deserved an assist on the game winning goal by Adi for taking a wonderful shot on the flank that Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark really couldn't do anything with, and the deflection caromed right out to Adi for the simple tap in.

M Diego Valeri (87 minutes, substituted by M Jack Jewsbury in 87th minute for tactics): 9. Just when you think you've seen everything that Valeri is capable of on a soccer pitch, he goes out and does something rather unexpected. After his first goal attempt was waived off for offside (and it was the right call), Valeri stepped up to take a free kick in a dangerous spot just outside the box to the left. With Ridgewell making a deceptive run from right to left near the crossing point, Valeri expertly tucked the ball into the right corner of goal as Clark was forced to hold his line for Ridgewell's action. Valeri certainly had other chances, but this move just showcases what a special player number 8 is.

M Jack Jewsbury (3 minutes, brought on for M Diego Valeri in 87th minute): 5. Jewsbury was the only Timbers called off the bench, and his role for the final moments of the match was to augment the defense to hold a one goal lead. It's rather difficult to influence a match in just a short appearance, but I felt that the final defensive organization was aided with adding Jewsbury to the mix. It became apparent the midfield was really getting pushed in the final minutes courtesy of the Crew's constant assault, but the Timbers dealt with it adeptly.

Timbers forward Fanendo Adi has bee making quite a step within his career to not only score goals, but also aid the offense with holding the ball and breaking down the defense. He frustrated the Crew backline all afternoon, and it was great to see.

F Fanendo Adi (90 minutes): 8. We have seen an evolution in Fanendo's play over the past few months, and it goes beyond the plethora of goals scored. Adi has not only improved on his ability to hold up the ball in traffic or be a distribution point on the attack, but this match saw Adi use more of the physical tools he is blessed with to his advantage. Adi is very large and muscular, and he used that strength to constantly shake past Crew marks all afternoon - whether it was a direct bump, shove, or whatever. Accomplished scorers know how to use every tool in the box to create space, and we really did see Adi use his size to a bigger advantage against a very solid Crew defense.

Timbers Coaching Staff: 7. I can imagine that the very first offseason coaching meeting between Caleb Porter and his staff started with the question - what do you do for an encore? Well, you start by keeping to the same established standards for your team, and I thought that Caleb really did follow that example with good organization and an exceptional game plan designed to frustrate and dominate the Crew. There was concern when it appeared the team hit the wall late in the contest, but as with many Timbers matches, they scratched and clawed for the game winning goal. It's also nice to see Porter also embrace new technology along with tried and true methods when it comes to training and game strategy, too.

Columbus Crew: 7. This wasn't a pushover side by any means that was facing the Timbers even if their choice of kit was not ideal - I get that some folks like the alternate version, but I'm not in that group. Columbus dominated possession and remained very well organized on the counter to give their team a chance to win - and they were really one post from drawing even courtesy of a Higuain bicycle kick that resembled the first where he scored a goal. Columbus is a real handful to deal with, and while they didn't get points for their trouble, the result reinforces the fact they won't be an easy out all season.

He wasn't challenged too much on the afternoon, but when he was, Adam Kwarasey was on his game with solid saves, good positioning and overall quality play.

Officiating: 4. Anytime you have Baldomero Toledo in charge of the show, there is always plenty of room for consistently being inconsistent. While I thought the crew was very good in a first half where the physicality was increasing, I didn't agree with his call on Taylor to start the second half that led to a caution. There was also near persistent infringement on Valeri all afternoon that I felt Toledo could have done more about, but he chose to inexplicably waive off a couple of incidents that I felt were foul worthy. Nobody got injured and there were no glaring mistakes, but it still wasn't the best effort either.

Overall defensive rating: 7. There was good defensive organization, solid communication and Kwarasey really only had to deal with one real glaring error by the defense, yet he made several huge saves to keep the Crew frustrated. Sounds like a good effort by the backline and goalkeeping to me.

Overall offensive rating: 6. Portland was able to counter at will and that gave them dozens of chances to attack a vulnerable Crew defense, but they were only able to generate two goals out of their offense. Granted, the finishing will get better over the weeks, but had it been more focused, the Timbers could have piled up a huge lead to then coast to victory instead of dealing with the nail-biting finish.

Overall grade for the Timbers: 7. Getting the win to start the year is huge, especially since the Timbers have traditionally struggled in March; this result gave Caleb Porter his first ever MLS win in the month of March. It was hardly perfect, but it was exactly what it needed to be - organized, emotional, crafty and a true fight. Columbus gave the Timbers everything they could handle, but the Timbers' mettle was just enough for them to get the win. They'll need this nerviness to deal with the San Jose Earthquakes this weekend on the road, but overall, they can be pleased with the result.

For an explanation into the player rankings, click here.

Kip Kesgard, community blogger

Email: pdxtimbersblog@gmail.com

Twitter: twitter.com/kipkesgard