The Portland Timbers will host the Columbus Crew SC on March 6th to kick off their 2016 MLS Season. The 2015 MLS Cup Final rematch will be broadcast on ESPN.

While the rest of the MLS schedule is not expected to be released until January, knowing that the Timbers will start the season at home against an opponent who will certainly be looking to make a mark should give Portland a good idea of what the season should be like as the defending champions.

The Timbers, of course, have yet to lose a home opener in their MLS history, going 2-0-3 since joining the league. In Caleb Porter's tenure with the team, however, the Timbers have also not won their home opener, getting all three ties during his time in charge.

This match will give the Timbers a good chance to come out and make their mark on the league; if the team wants to take the next step forward and be a winning team throughout the year and not just a team that is able to peak going into the playoffs, this is an excellent opportunity to start.

The Timbers' opener comes just over a week after the team's final preseason match, the final match of the 2016 Simple Invitational against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, February 27th.

The Timbers' press release: