FC Dallas dominated Real Esteli for 90 minutes but only managed a 2-1 victory in its Group H CONCACAF Champions League opener against the plucky Nicaraguan club.
The hosts peppered Justo Lorente's net throughout the first 45 minutes, hitting posts and crossbars on several occasions before Michael Barrios finally got Dallas on the board in the 44th minute.
But Real Esteli looked set to make a match of it as the second half began, when Juan Berdun picked up a pass from Franklin Lopez and looped a left-footed shot from a difficult angle to the top left corner of Jesse Gonzalez's goal.
With time running down, Dallas found its winner from Maynor Figueroa, whose left footed shot from the centre of the box found its way into the top right corner of the goal following an assist from Maximiliano Urruti.
Costa Rica's Herediano needed a second-half goal from Yendrick Ruiz to earn a draw with Plaza Amador in Group G.
The Panamanian hosts had taken an early lead with a goal from Sergio Alejandro Ortega in the 12th minute, but Ruiz ensured the visitors returned home with a point.