Portland Timbers to host Minnesota in March 3 opener

NEW YORK (AP) — Minnesota United will play its Major League Soccer opener at Portland on March 3 in the first match of the 2017 season, and Atlanta United will make its debut two days later at home against the New York Red Bulls.

Minnesota plays its first home game March 12 against Atlanta in a matchup of the two expansion teams, which raise the league’s total to 22.

The league said Wednesday that 14 teams open March 4. New England is at Colorado, Chicago at Columbus, Kansas City at D.C. United, defending champion Seattle at Houston, Dallas at Los Angeles, Toronto at Salt Lake and Montreal at San Jose.

Completing the opening weekend on March 5, New York City is at Orlando in the MLS opener of the team’s new stadium and Philadelphia is at Vancouver.