PORTLAND, Ore. – The 2015 MLS Cup-champion Portland Timbers will play host to Columbus Crew SC on Sunday, March 6, at Providence Park in an MLS Cup rematch to open the 2016 season presented by Simple. A national broadcast of the match begins at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific) on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. The match was announced today as MLS unveiled details for each club’s home-opening match for the league’s 21st season.
The March 6 opener marks Columbus’ first trip to Portland since the 2014 season, and just its fourth in Portland’s six MLS seasons. The Timbers defeated Crew SC twice on the road in 2015, including a 2-1 victory at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus on Dec.