PORTLAND, Ore. -- Even if the calendar disagrees, it's been a long offseason.

So the opening of the Union's third campaign, the 2012 season, is a welcome sign. No more signings, no more roster juggling -- at least for now. The 2012 campaign kicks off tonight at JELD-WEN Field, where the Union face the host Portland Timbers in a 9:30 p.m. nationally televised game.

Here's a primer for the Union's season opener, which the Daily Times will have covered for you:
***Zac MacMath (pictured), the second-year goalkeeper and first-year starter, realizes the pressure he'll draw in replacing all-star and captain Faryd Mondragon.
***Freddy Adu is ready for the next stage of his career. It's difficult to fathom a 22-year-old needing to reinvent himself, but maybe that's where Adu's career has taken him.
***Additions and subtractions. A quick-hitting glimpse at three welcome additions, three somber goodbyes ... and three others the Union are better off without.
***Five MLS storylines. With so many ups and downs, twists and turns this offseason, here's a five-point preview of what you should know elsewhere in MLS.

Stay close to Union Tally, and to delcotimes.com, for more coverage of tonight's season opener. I'll drop another blogpost closer to gametime at JELD-WEN.

(Times staff photo / JULIA WILKINSON)