Today MLS announced the matches for First Kick 2016, and Columbus Crew SC fans discovered that the Black and Gold will be hitting the road to face the Portland Timbers in a rematch of 2015's MLS Cup. The match, which will be televised nationally on ESPN, will kick off at 4:30 PM, EST on Sunday, March 6.
The Black and Gold did not feature in many nationally televised match-ups over the past few seasons, appearing just three times last season, but the allure of an opening week Cup Final rematch was too much for the league and broadcasters to resist.