Third time's the charm? The Timbers officially hit reset on the franchise at 4:30 this afternoon, as Portland hosts the club sponsored by Red Bull from New York to open its third Major League Soccer season. Opening day! Let's go to press!

While PTFC is all but starting over with a new coach, style and personnel, RBNY's star power burns even brighter this year.

He's practiced just twice as an official member of the team, but 35-year-old Portland defender (and Manchester United/Arsenal alum) Mikael Silvestre is taking a probable start and ongoing role as mentor in stride.

New coach, new captain: It'll be Capt. Will on the pitch and Cap'n Jack in the locker room as Johnson and Jewsbury tackle leadership duties in tandem this season.

Former Timbers Eric Alexander and Kosuke Kimura return to the Rose City, and the latter is encouraging his new 'mates to soak in the atmosphere and use it to their advantage.

Of course Timbers Army has its own beer, which, shockingly, is not a spiced IPA.

Timbers owner Merritt Paulson wants the 2013 season to be less about him, says Merritt Paulson in an intriguing profile of Merritt Paulson by Geoffrey C. Arnold of The O.

Get ready for a 2-2 draw tonight, says Chris Rifer of Timbers Army, who (spoiler alert!) looks into his "crystal log" to predict the result of every regular season game ahead.

The Red Bulls play in Harrison, New Jersey. Hey, did someone say "new jerseys?" because the Timbers have some new jerseys.

Dept. of Housekeeping: The Timbers chose the services of French striker Frederic Piquionne over hometown kid Danny Mwanga, while officially parting ways with creative midfielder Franck Songo'o and defender(/franchise leader in community events attended) Chris Taylor.

Dept. of Know Your History: Roberto at 5mTKO dribbles down memory lane for some great moments of home openers past while dusting off an obligatory image of Pelé running onto the pitch in Portland because a New York team is in town.

Dept. of Shameless Self-Promotion: Check back at 4:30 p.m. for some High-Pitched Live Blog Action! Until then, feel free to watch this on repeat: