Lorenzo Ebecilio scored an early goal as Dutch champion Ajax went on to a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in a friendly Wednesday.
Ebecilio scored from a cross by Gregory van der Wiel in the 18th minute. Demy De Zeeuw added the other goal in the 89th minute.
It was a rare home loss for the Timbers, who are in their inaugural Major League Soccer season. Portland has lost just twice at home, both non-league matches, while winning all five of its home MLS games.
Earlier this month, Ajax won its 30th Dutch league title - its first since 2004 - and secured a spot in next season's Champions League.
Ebecilio scored from a cross by Gregory van der Wiel in the 18th minute. Demy De Zeeuw added the other goal in the 89th minute.
''Any time you go out and play those types of players, it's fun,'' Portland midfielder Ryan Pore said. ''They're definitely as good as they're advertised.''
Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was with the team, but did not play. Ajax started Jeroen Verhoeven in goal.
Ajax coach Frank de Boer praised the crowd, which was announced at 18,627.
''Great audience, great atmosphere, I can see how a lot of teams have problems when they have to play here,'' he said. ''The enthusiastic crowd can always be a very difficult thing for the opponent.''
The Timbers rested regular keeper Troy Perkins, giving Adin Brown the start.
Brown was caught off-guard with Ebecelio's left-footed strike into the upper right corner, and at times the Timbers seemed out of sorts against their Dutch counterparts.
Brown got lucky in the 56th minute when Daley Blind's hard shot sailed over his outstretched arms but hit the crossbar and popped up and out.
Portland had a chance in the 58th minute off a corner kick, but Eddie Johnson's attempt from a few yards out also hit the crossbar.
Ajax defeated D.C. United 2-1 in a friendly Sunday.
''Against DC United we didn't play our best, I think this game was very good for our team,'' de Boer said. ''We played total football, with a lot of one touches, always looking for our midfielders and a lot of times we reached them.''
The Ajax squad also included midfielder Siem De Jong, who scored 12 goals in the Dutch season.
De Boer, who as a player won five league titles with the club and another with Barcelona in 1999, has only been coaching Ajax since December when he took over from Martin Jol.
