The 2016 MLS season is set to kickoff Sunday with the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew headlining the match of the day. The two teams are set for a rematch of last year's MLS Cup, where Portland took home the trophy, a first for the franchise. Entering 2016, both teams are expected to contend for a title once again.
The Portland Timbers enter this season as the defending champs, a role that they feel very comfortable in. The Timbers will be led by Darlington Nagbe, who put his name on the map last year. The midfielder inked a four-year deal heading into this season after playing a massive role in the title run for the Timbers. Nagbe also got his first cap with the US Men's National Team, as coach Caleb Porter says that Nagbe's confidence is high this year.
"I think always, you see a little bit of a jump in terms of confidence," Porter said. "He played with some of the best guys that our country has and and I'm sure that he saw that he fit right in. I see a little bit of a jump in his game. A little more confident. A little bit, even, sharper."
The Timbers and Crew are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the season power rankings. The Timbers have the young talent that will be better developed this year, while Columbus is seeking revenge after falling flat in the Cup finals. Columbus is not thinking about redemption in Sunday's rematch. Instead, the team is focused on starting fresh and building towards a better outcome in 2016.
"There's no revenge to be had because if we win the game, we're not taking a trophy home with us," captain Michael Parkhurst said. "It'll be tough to watch them celebrate and raise their banner or get their rings or whatever, no doubt. So yes, we want to go there and ruin the party," he added. "It's not going to make us feel any better about last year, but it'll be nice to rain on their parade a little bit if were able to do that. And we'd love to start the season on a positive note."
The Timbers and Crew look poised to make a run again this season, but several teams are planning on chasing them. The LA Galaxy are in win-now mode as pressure mounts for the team to win a title this year. The same can be said for the Seattle Sounders, who have Jordan Morris joining the team as the next-big MLS star. Portland and Columbus might star the year ranked at the top, but there is no guarantee both teams fan finish there.
