Is it a wet, chilly night in March? Check. Is it a home opener for the Portland Timbers? Check.

Adrian Heath came to Providence Peak in 2015 with another expansion team, Orlando, and beat the Timbers – could Caleb Porter finally get his first points against the Englishman? He did and fairly easily, Minnesota did not threaten much and for Portland it looked as easy as an extension of preseason. The 5-1 scoreline was a little harsh on the visitors in the end, but Portland’s offense had looked good all game.

The scorers, Olum aside, were all too familiar – a brace each from Valeri and Adi. But Portland’s new wideman Blanco looked excellent, showing an ideal combination of hard-work and good technique. The myth of ‘adaptation to MLS’ is an excuse for poor players. Blanco earned the free-kick that led to the first goal with tenacity in the corner and floated a superb cross to Valeri for the second.

Trailing by 2, Minnesota came out of their shell with 25 minutes to go and they got a goal back through Christian Ramirez as he exploited space and some hesitation between Olum and Ridgewell. But a minute later Adi was pulled back in the box allowing Valeri to restore Portland’s 2 goal lead from the spot. Hopes of a comeback for the new boys were gone and Adi added a couple of his own in injury time to complete the welcome to the league.