Franck Songo'o was given the chance to atone for a poor game for Portland Timbers when they hosted San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night.
The Cameroonian was hooked in the 38th minute of the Timbers' 3-0 loss to Colorado Rapids on the weekend but head coach John Spencer had him in the starting line-up for the midweek meeting with the Quakes.
Songo'o, who had been at fault for two goals in the Rapids loss, produced a stellar performance as Portland beat San Jose 2-1 as he was involved in both his sides goals.
Spencer and Songo'o alike admitted that the former Portsmouth, Crystal Palace and Real Zaragoza man wasn't at his best in the Rapids match but he was able to bounce back to his best as the Timbers moved to seventh on the Western Conference table.
"I wasn't happy coming out (in the Rapids match), but the two goals came from my side," Songo'o said.
"It's the way it is. He's the coach, he's the boss, he makes the decisions, and I've got to take it. I wasn't happy. But he wasn't happy about my game. Pretty fair."
Spencer said: "I'm not a grudge holder. Scottish people don't hold grudges. Well, I don't anyway. I showed that tonight by putting him in the starting line-up. I had faith in him. That's why I signed him.
"Songo'o deserves a special mention," he added. "He was absolutely terrific in the first half.
"After the disappointment of taking him out in Colorado, his response tonight was excellent."
