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The Portland Timbers are slated to open its 2020 MLS campaign at 4:30 pm on March 1st against Minnesota United at Providence Park.
Thankfully for fans, it will not take nearly four months to see the Timbers take the field in the Rose City this time around.
If this seems like Déjà vu, that’s because it is. This is the third time in the past four years that the Timbers have hosted the Loons to begin the regular season. There was the dominant 5-1 victory in 2017, and the 3-2 win in 2018, both of which jump-started solid seasons for the Timbers.
According to team statistician Mike Donovan, this will be the Timbers’ earliest start to a season in MLS history.
The March 1st kickoff will be the earliest the Timbers have ever started a season.
— Mike Donovan (@TheMikeDonovan) December 5, 2019
Last year, they opened on March 2nd while their earliest home opener ever was March 3rd in both 2013 and 2017. #rctid
Interestingly enough, the Timbers will not take part in another team’s home-opening game.
A season ago the Timbers finished winless against the Loons including a brutal three-day stretch in which it dropped points at the last minute and got knocked out of the U.S Open Cup in the Twin Cities. Minnesota United has never beaten the Timbers at Providence Park.