Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goal for Inter Miami and it was one to remember, while LA Galaxy were routed 6-3 by Portland Timbers in MLS.

Higuain converted an 81st-minute free-kick and it proved to be the winner as Inter Miami defeated New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Wednesday.

The former Argentina international, who joined David Beckham's Inter Miami from Serie A champions Juventus, missed a penalty on debut last month.

In his third appearance for Inter Miami, Higuain earned a free-kick with nine minutes remaining and stepped up to beat Red Bulls goalkeeper David Jensen with a powerful shot into the top corner.

Higuain's first MLS goal came via a direct free-kick after not scoring a set-piece in 428 matches during his time in the top five European leagues, per Opta.

"That's my role," Higuain said in a post-match news conference. "I've been playing in the best leagues in the world and that's my main function, to score."

The Red Bulls had led through Omir Fernandez's 53rd-minute opener, before Matias Pellegrini equalised two minutes later in New Jersey.

Inter Miami are 12th in the 14-team Eastern Conference with 14 points from 16 games, while the Red Bulls are six points better off in seventh.

The visiting Timbers defeated the struggling Galaxy in a wild nine-goal showdown in Carson, California.

Portland led 2-1 at half-time before scoring another four goals in a thrilling encounter at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Felipe Mora and Jeremy Ebobisse each finished with braces as the Timbers scored a joint-club record six goals for the second time in four matches, having not scored more than five times in any of their first 337 MLS matches, via Opta.

The Galaxy have lost five matches in a row to sit bottom of the Western Conference, while the Timbers are second and three points adrift of leaders Seattle Sounders – who edged Real Salt Lake 2-1.

Elsewhere, New York City eased past DC United 4-1, Eastern Conference leaders Toronto downed New England Revolution 1-0 and Philadelphia Union were too good for FC Cincinnati 3-0.

Dallas lost 2-0 to Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City were 1-0 winners over Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes beat nine-man Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0, Montreal Impact topped Columbus Crew 2-1, while Atlanta United and Orlando City played out a goalless draw.

The Colorado Rapids-Los Angeles FC clash was postponed after one new confirmed case of coronavirus among the Rapids staff.