COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Federico Higuain scored the winning goal in the 58th minute and also had an assist in his home debut to help the Columbus Crew hold off Toronto FC 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Higuain, who had an assist in his first game with the Crew (9-8-6) on Sunday at Houston, set up Eddie Gaven in the 4th minute and made it 2-0 in the second half.
Luis Silva scored in the 71st minute to pull Toronto (5-15-5) within one.
Higuain arrived from Argentina a week ago and helped the Crew score two goals in consecutive games for only the second time this season as they snapped an 0-1-2 streak.
"I'm happy for the goal but happier for getting the goal that got us three points," Higuain said through a translator.
The winning goal came after a series of passes in the box and a poorly taken shot by Higuain that went to teammate Jairo Arrieta. Arrieta then put the ball back to Higuain for the goal from 12 yards.
"I saw Federico on a better position so I lay it off to him," Arrieta said through a translator. "He had a really good finish."
Earlier, Higuain set up Gaven's shot from 25 yards that appeared to be deflected and slightly changed directions.
Gaven's goal was the Crew's quickest of the season, five minutes faster than his score against Chicago on May 26.
The poor start irritated Toronto coach Paul Mariner as his team fell to four losses and tie in the past five matches.
"It was the exact opposite of what I asked in the dressing room," he said. "It was not being ready to play."
The match was rescheduled from Aug. 11 so the Crew could attend the funeral of teammate Kirk Urso, who died Aug. 5.
