Philadelphia at Timbers
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Providence Park.
TV: Root Sports, cable Channel 34.
Radio: 750 AM.
Tickets: www.timbers.com.
Timbers: Finished 2013 with the best record in the Western Conference (14 wins, 5 losses and 15 ties). Portland kicks off its fourth MLS season considered a championship contender. Argentines Gaston Fernandez and Norberto Papratto make their MLS debuts in a lineup that includes will include eight regular contributors from last season.
Union: In 2013, Philadelphia (12-12-10) finished seventh in the Eastern Conference. The Union hopes become the Timbers of 2014, a young team with a young coach that surprises. The season opener should be the unveling of a new midfield, highlighted by the key offseason acquisitions of U.S. international Maurice Edu and Vincint Nogueira, a veteran of France’s top league.
