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  • Steve Snyder

The day is finally upon us — Portland Timbers Day.

For the first time since the House of Pane's $31 million facelift, for the first time since the team sewed an MLS patch on its jerseys, and for the first time this season, the Timbers will kick it on their home pitch. Technically, they're facing the Chicago Fire at 8 pm on ESPN2, but in a way, the team will be taking on the expectations, excitement, rabid support and unbridled energy exuded from the community that's been clamoring for this night for quite some time.

It's their biggest advantage and biggest distraction, and the gents on the field will need to put much of that aside if they hope to add another first to the evening—a victory.

Luckily, we don't have to put any of that on the back-burner: I personally can't wait to get down the park and soak in the atmosphere. Win, lose or draw, this home opener is shaping up to be a housewarming to end all housewarmings. Should the Timbers fall, the mood will likely still be as festive as a Baltimore Police wake, and should they win, well, I don't even know what to expect. Think we can flip over that cop car?

I'll check back in tonight to *live-blog* all the action (on and off the field) but until then, click past the jump for a grip of EXTRA TIME links to get you set for first kick.

EXTRA TIME! Links to distract you from the fact that, holy shit, the home opener is tonight.
• Paul Danzer of The Columbian runs down the entire roster, and looks back on the "magic" of the team's NASL days.
• Kevin at Dropping Timber says the pressure to win tonight is huge, while Mao of The Offside offers three keys to success for Portland.
• Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated says "the Rose City gets what this sport is all about."
• Dieter Kurtenbach of CSN Chicago calls the Timbers a bunch of "castoffs" and looks at the match from the Fire's point of view.
• Anne M. Peterson of the Associated Press says the Timbers (and their fans) are ready for tonight's home opener, while the Sports Network says the team is "pining" for that first victory. Oh, I see what they did there.
• Timbers Insider Kelly McClain offers his preview of tonight's match, noting the Chicago defense has been "anemic."
• Tweed Thornton and Geoff Gibson of SB Nation exchange a trio of questions about tonight's match, including the high quality of Portland's green (turf) and why you may be cursing Gaston Puerari's awesome name by the end of the night.
• Andrew Brawley of The Timbers Army has a guide for first-timers and veterans. If you're confused as to which one you are, click the former link.
• Geoffrey C. Arnold of The O offers a match-day preview then shifts his focus to the fans, noting midfielder Sal Zizzo is expecting "pandemonium." Meanwhile, O-Live's Nick Hernandez gathered video comments from players, coaches and owner Merritt Paulson about those who dwell in the North end.
• Timbers broadcaster John Strong says the team can't rely on the crowd, but it can certainly feed off them.
• The Timbers' official site gives an architect's-eye tour of the House of Pane and its many home-team advantages.
• Stumptown Footy's Ryan Gates slobbers a bit on the stadium renovations and has some observations about Tuesday's training, while Geoff Gibson talks about the positive pressure the team is feeling this week and what to expect from Chicago.
• Joseph Rose of The O raises some questions about the parking situation around Jeld-Wen Field, then answers them.
• Doug Binder of MLSsoccer says newest Timber Diego Chará is "a creative player with an ability elevate those around him."
• And from the department of shameless self-promotion, check out this A-Z guide to the Timbers. Some good info, though I can't say much for the shoddy writing.