Columbus at Timbers
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Providence Park. NOTE: First kick approximately 2 p.m., following pageantry that includes unveiling the MLS Cup championship banner.
Tickets: Sold out.
TV: ESPN. Radio: 750 AM/102.9 FM.
Notable: Three months to the day that the Timbers won MLS Cup at Columbus, the Crew visit Portland in search of a bit of revenge. … Most of the same starters will be on the field, but that doesn’t mean the game will be the same according to Timbers coach Caleb Porter. He expects the Crew to play direct and try to feed striker Kei Kamara early and often. Winning first and second balls will be critical early in an emotionally charged match Porter said. … Kamara scored 26 goals in 37 games including the playoffs last season. … In the offseason the Timbers acquired two players from the Crew: defender Chris Klute who is injured and forward Jack McInerney who will back up Fanendo Adi. … Adi scored a Timbers MLS-record 16 regular-season goals last season and added two playoff goals. … This is the fifth time in six MLS seasons that Portland’s home opener has come against an Eastern Conference opponent. The Timbers won their first two home openers, and have tied each of their three home openers under Porter. … This will be the second time the Timbers play in a game following championship ceremonies. Their inaugural MLS game in 2011 was at Colorado after the Rapids won the 2010 title. That was the only time Portland has opened a season on the road in MLS. … Darlington Nagbe is set to pass Willie Anderson from the NASL Timbers on Sunday with his 161st appearance across all competitions for the club. … The MLS Cup trophy will be on display on the concourse, and the first 7,500 fans into Providence Park will get a commemorative championship pennant.
