The Portland Timbers will face a replay of their Major League Soccer Cup final classic against the Columbus Crew when the new season kicks off in March.

Portland's opening day rematch at home to Columbus was the pick of an intriguing 2016 full season schedule released by MLS chiefs on Thursday.

All 20 teams will be in action when the league kicks off on March 6.

Five-time champions the Los Angeles Galaxy host four-time champs DC United and Montreal visit Vancouver in an all-Canada clash on opening day, while the New York Red Bulls host Toronto and Italian Sebastian Giovinco -- the 2015 MLS Most Valuable Player in his first North American season.

The schedule includes a previously announced break from June 3-17 to accommodate the Copa America Centenario and "rivalry weeks" featuring match-ups of regional rivals.

Among those rivalries, New York City FC will host the New York Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium on May 21 and July 3. The two Big Apple clubs will also meet at Red Bulls' Harrison, New Jersey, ground on July 24.

The 2016 season will also feature an increased MLS presence on US television, with nationally televised matches again set for Fridays on UniMas and Sundays on the Fox and ESPN families.

ESPN will carry 29 of its 34 matches on the primary network - up from eight in 2015.

ESPN plans Sunday football doubleheaders in June and July that open with European Championship matches from France.