TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Steve Ralston and Raul Diaz Arce had two goals each as the Tampa Bay Mutiny opened the MLS season by beating the Columbus Crew 5-1 Saturday night.

Diaz Arce, Manny Lagos and Ralston scored during a nine-minute span in the first half. Ralston and Diaz Arce also scored two minutes apart during the second half.

The win reversed a trend that saw the Mutiny drop their first four games last season and initial three in 1998.

Dante Washington scored for Columbus with six minutes left in the first half.

But it was already 3-0 by then. Diaz Arce scored from close range in the 24th minute, Lagos had a breakaway goal five minutes later, and Ralston beat Crew goalkeeper Mark Dougherty to a loose ball and scored in the 33rd.

Ralston put the Mutiny up 4-1 in the 76th minute. Diaz Arce closed out the scoring two minutes later.

Tampa Bay's Carlos Valderrama had two assists, matching his total from nine career games against Columbus.

Colombian national team midfielder John Wilmar Perez, allocated to the Crew earlier this month, made his MLS debut.