It was the rematch that everyone was waiting for.
Three months earlier – to the day – the Portland Timbers had defeated Columbus Crew SC 2-1 at MAPFRE in Columbus, Ohio to win the 2015 MLS Cup championship.
Now the two sides were meeting again, this time in the 2016 MLS regular season opener, and all eyes were on Providence Park. How would the fans react to their heroes taking the field for the first time in a meaningful match since the MLS Cup victory?
That was the reaction from the Timbers Army the moment that the team's championship banner was unveiled.