It's a match with empire-sized implications for Portland: Not that the Timbers necessarily need any more hype, but a win today against the New England Revolution (4:30 p.m. on Fox 12) would be a veritable shot-heard-'round-the-Rose-City for Portland loyalists who'd like nothing more than to see their club quarter a few points before they come marching home for their April 14 opener.

Portland has momentum at its back after knocking off Chivas USA in impressive fashion (in the late minutes, at least) on Tuesday, something they'll need to carry into Foxboro, Mass. against an unbeaten original-MLS team.

And while a loss would hardly be an intolerable act, it's pain(e)ful common sense that a slow start is not what the Timbers need. The Revolution have scored quickly in both their matches this season, while Portland's early defensive lapses in their two MLS losses have forced the gameplan overboard. Needless to say, Portland ought not wait until they see the whites in the enemies cleats before attacking, otherwise this one could very well turn into a massacre.

This match could also be our first glimpse of Timbers' top-draft-pick Darlington Nagbe, who's nursed his sports hernia back to health and traveled with the team. He says, "I'm ready," and man, so am I.

And finally, fingers-crossed that Portland sports its Rose-City Red kits today, despite the fact that guys wearing red gear have historically had trouble pulling off victories in New England.

Midnight-ride past the jump for all the EXTRA TIME links you need to tax yourself before first kick.

EXTRA TIME! Loads of links to tread on.
* Doug Binder of MLSsoccer.com says the Timbers like their scoring chances at New England as Kenny Cooper and Jorge Perlaza continue to jell.
* Geoff Gibson of Stumptown Footy says the Revolution have already shown signs they're pluckier than preseason projections, and the midfield in particular has him worried.
* The Sports Network's preview says the Timbers are looking to stoke a spark of success, while New England isn't counting on benefiting from any more "lucky calls."
* John Connolly of the Boston Herald says the Revolution shouldn't look past a Timbers team riding high from its first taste of success.
* Paul Danzer of The Columbian offers a nuts-and-bolts match preview and notes Capt. Jack Jewsbury's 35-yard goal against Chivas was "hardly a shot in the dark."
* Stephen Alexander of The Trib notes "the panic button" could re-appear if the Timbers' much-maligned defense doesn't stand tall today.
* Kelly McClain of Timbers Insider scouts Portland for New England Soccer Today and says the Timbers would love to nab some momentum on the final stop of their MLS-opening road swing.
* Goal.com's preview isn't optimistic about the Timbers picking up a victory.
* Mao of The Offside offers a few more points on Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup win over Chivas, with some bonus love for fan-favorites Jake Gleeson and Khalif Alhassan.
* The parking situation around the-stadium-formerly-known-as-Civic takes another turn, and the Timbers' neighbors aren't exactly pleased.
* Brian O'Connell of New England Soccer Today notes the Timbers last visited New England in "the heyday of disco, David Cassidy and The Dukes of Hazzard."
* Jeff Mussall of Yahoo! Sports notes Gleeson made MLS' save of the week and gave up MLS' goal of the week.
* Timbers announcer John Strong notes "the battle for Middle Earth" will center on Jewsbury and New England's Shalrie Joseph ... and could really turn if Gandalf shows up atop a white horse.