—by Andrew Brawley

It's home opener week. We got lots of information to share this week. Spread the word!

Sunday: Do's and Don'ts

Monday: Tifo 101 + the National Anthem

Tuesday: Guide for First-Timers

Wednesday: Guide for Veterans

Thursday: It's Game Day!

It’s down to a matter of hours now, this wait for Portland’s first Major League Soccer match. So close you can taste it…8 p.m. Thursday, April 14 2011.

For some, it’s been 29 years of holding out hope since the demise of the original NASL Timbers; for others, it’s been seven l-o-n-g months since Ryan Pore’s Sunflower Goal sent everyone dancing into the streets as the Division 2 days wound down.

For still others, it’s been a lifetime.

No matter how long it’s seemed, we’ve made it: Portland has taken its rightful place at the highest levels of North American soccer.

We wouldn’t be here without Merritt Paulson and so many others in the front office (Lookin’ at you, Zus). But neither would we be here without the Timbers Army – without the thousands of people who bought scarf, raised a pint, made up a song, created a two-stick and brought a newb or two along.

So what’s next? Tell you what, we’ll give that some serious thought this evening... Right after we finish changing the face of American soccer.

What are YOUR thoughts on this historic day?