The city of Portland, Oregon took a major step toward potentially having an MLS expansion team when a prospective ownership group from the city put in a formal expansion bid on Tuesday.
Merrit Paulson, president of Shortstop LLC, released the following statement:
“Today, on behalf of the greatest soccer fans in America, we submitted our formal application to bring Major League Soccer to Portland. We expect to get a response to our application no later than March of next year. In the meantime, we will continue to work with MLS, city officials and the community to turn this exciting idea into reality for Portland and Oregon.”
Let the fun begin.
What do you think of Portland joining fellow Northwestern city Seattle in MLS? Share your thoughts below.
“And no converting an old, beaten down stadium into a soccer venue. C’mon, hopefully that’s not what MLS is about.”
That “old beat down stadium” has more soul and history and FANS than Pizza Hut Park.
MLS is about the Toronto model now. And there is no other place in the USA that would have that kinda vibe but Portland.
St Louis? Yeah right.
LA would be my closest team (even though I’m a quakes fan) and I think they should move Chivas to San Diego. ”
Can we put this to rest already. Chivas is going no where. They spent GOOD money to be in LA and San Diego isn’t even in the Expansion picture and hasn’t been for some time. And likely won’t be since there is a team just across the border most of the locals support.
And no converting an old, beaten down stadium into a soccer venue. C’mon, hopefully that’s not what MLS is about.
at this point i think everyone would love to see a team in the south east but i doubt (these are some relatively uneducated statements coming) that it would take off and be supported. In the south Nascar and grid iron rule the land and im sure baseball fits in there somewhere too. Everyone argues that Miami would support a team but the fact of the matter is Cubans prefer baseball, although there are sizeable amounts of people from the islands (who enjoy cricket as well as footie) and other central/south american countries (who also enjoy baseball, like Venezuela and Nicauragua) i just dont see it happening. Why over look great markets that already have support in every sense of the word? Why not save these ‘maybe’ markets for later?
Any plans on building a new stadium? Any pics to see?
This gives me a chance to take a shot at the STUPIDITY of USL management. Presidente Marcos and Vicepresidente Holt decided to SCREW Puerto Rico by having some farce of a bidding process and then awarding the USL1 final to Steve Kerfoot and Vancouver. I understand that they want to pay him back for everything that he has done for the league and stroke him just in case MLS says “Naaaah! Come back. Maybe later…” in response to his MLS expansion bid.
But please. Let’s call it for what it is:
it is a back door deal so that he can showcase the Whitecaps so that when they hope to see their prayers answered and MLS says “You’re just not ready yet” they can rub his shoulder and whisper in his ear that they love him and the Whitecaps and that the franchise should stay somewhere that is is loved, respected and appreciated.
And if MLS says “come on aboard”, they can claim that they took the high road and don’t stand in thew way of any franchise’s MLS dreams.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico Islanders FC, the number 1 seed, Commisioners’ Cup Winners, who (along with the Montreal Impact) are increasing the USL brand, putting USL on the radar from the Panama Canal north to Canada, who actually get press in Central America and Mexico–they get the SHAFT.
How stupid is that? We can’t go to MLS. We are going to help be the future of USL1. We will be stuck there long after MLS has cherrypicked the best markets that the USL has to offer.
meanwhile Holt and Marcos keep blaming it on FSC or the logistics–that is a bunch of …. and they know it.
It’s all about stroking Kerfoot.
To those worried about PGE Park being a baseball venue, part of the Timbers MLS plan is building a new stadium for the baseball team in SE Portland and renovating PGE Park to be a SSS.
It can be set up to have stands on both sides of the pitch as was done for the Women’s World Cup.
furball: sure, but where are the Beavers and PSU going if it becomes a SSS?
PGE Park can easily be converted to a SSS. It is ideal for soccer. The main issue is installing permanate seats on the westend of the stadium as they did for US Mens Qualifiers and the Womens World Cup. The Fieldturf is brand new and similiar to what the Sounders will be playing on at Qwest. Qwest was also voted by NFL players as the best playing surface in the league. Figure that?
I would argue that for a small, growing league, regional rivalries are MORE important than national footprint. That’s where the money and the interest is. I brought people to a DCU-Red Bulls game simply because they hate NY sports, they hate the Mets, Giants, Rangers and Knicks. And I know I will be able to bring people to Philly games for the exact same reason. these are people who couldn’t care less about soccer, except they are sports fans and they love to hate other teams. but they are energetic, spend money and keep coming back. (a day in the Barra can do that to you) I don’t like baseball, but I’ll go boo the Yankees.
it’s not the highest priority, but it should be pretty high. Give Seattle a chance to have traveling supporters as well.
As for the SouthEast…there simply aren’t any good sports towns. Atlanta? in the summer? not a chance, the Braves couldn’t sell out playoff games. The Falcons and Hawks have some of the worst attendance in their leagues. the Silverbacks have done well, but they’re not drawing all that well (2008 av: 2,281, second to last in USL-1, and a quarter of Portland’s 8,567) and before anyone says ‘it’s growing’ well having two players good enough to go straight to MLS, lead to a 3.5% reduction in seats sold from 2007. the only team worse in attendance than Atlanta? oh right, Miami. of course, theirs went up this past year.
The Southeast is college football country first and foremost. the region has proven again and again that it will halfheartedly support winning teams, but has no city has a history of supporting mediocre teams in anything but college football. there’s a reason why contraction hit Florida. a team in the SE would be a loss leader for the league. is MLS ready to financially support a team for ten years, hoping it gets (and stays) good enough to draw home support?)
Much Respect to the Timbers Army. They are some of the most hardcore supporters that this continent has north of Mexico. If you think I’m exaggerating, just youtube them.
I don’t think that a city with the sort of politics that Portland has is going to fork over any concessions in order to help them jump to MLS. Seatlle made the move based on a lot of ownership financial capital. In Portland there will need to be more publi assistance in terms of a venue and other infrastructure that Seattle didn’t need to worry about.
The other question is will MLS want them. We all know the criteria changes depending on the league board’s whims.
This will be interesting…
Defo agree with WTF, as Portland is one of 4 cities id love to see join the MLS. in fact i agree on the exact same cities.
I also agree that although its not ‘sexy’ or a big market, it does have history and feverant support and would be the only team in that city. Its got a structure that already exists, an intense rivalry with a driving distance team and support. All things that make a successful football team.
sounds good, but in the NW i’d prefer to see Vancouver get a team first.
BRING IN PORTLAND!
two words: HELL YES!
PORTLAND 2011!
great news!
Itd be dope to see Portland in there.
Pretty excited about the Portland – Seattle (and hopefully Vancouver too) rivalry!
Move Columbus to Portland. They don’t draw flies and they play in an erector set stadium.
Portland is a waste of time if you want to build a top tier soccer league in the US. Its is the 23rd largest city in terms of population and 78th in terms of per capita income. That makes it more difficult to generate tv revenue for the league.
I actually like Portland and love another West Coast team, but we need the big markets to succeed.
This is GREAT news. By being the first city to submit, Paulson clearly seems to have things buttoned up.
PGE Park will be a wonderful venue too. Great history and tradition. Portland brings authenticity, culture and history that MLS largely lacks.
Jetzt Gehts Los!
I support both Vancouver and Portland for MLS.
I would like it, and regional rivalries have to be considered. Because it only helps with ticket sales and traveling supporters.
Awesome. I just hope they get some sort of SSS in the works, I’m not into the soccer on a baseball field thing. And also hope St. Louis investors light a fire under their asses. I’m interested to see how Seattle does with support so I have a frame of reference for Portland and Montreal. I mean, maybe USL success isn’t always equitable to MLS success. Toronto didn’t get good support and is great now. It’s possible that these USL teams are getting as much support as any soccer team in the area could, I dunno. But you people immediately dismissing all smaller markets as good expansion sites are misguided. Green Bay Packers anyone?
kpugs-
Portland is in Oregon, not Washington state. We in Oregon don’t like the idea that people associate us with Washington. Portland only has one major sports team and that is the Blazers. We love them and this is a passionate fan base. We’ll hate the Sounders from day one. As a matter of fact, I won’t cheer for the Sounders even WITHOUT a Portland franchise.
Great news. Living in Seattle, I’ve seen Portland’s fans in person when they travel up here for Timbers/Sounders games. They passionate and fun, and would add a tremendous amount of character to MLS. Portland, maybe more than any other city, deserves an MLS team. As a Sounders FC season ticket holder, I’d love for the Timbers/Sounders rivalry to continue in MLS.
The moment it’s announced is the moment I go buy season tickets. At this point and after such a poor showing in the CONCACAF Champions League this would be one of the few things that would get me truly excited about MLS again. I’ll never quit on MLS, but this year has been a bit rough in most regards. Maybe it’s the Beckham letdown one year later. Maybe it’s the CCL. Maybe its something else, but this year hasn’t been memorable for me. I need a Portland franchise to pick me back up. Go Timbers! (except change the name to something like the “Pacific Northwest Rangers”)
Portland would be an excellent choice! Very passionate fan base, not a lot of competition from other professional sports in the city, a decent stadium already in place & a devoted team owner that wants to see it happen. Plus, MLS does need to promote regional rivalries. Rivalries make up a staple of all sports, and a Seattle-Portland rivalry would be one of the best in MLS.
A second New York franchise is the worst idea ever. That city can’t even get behind its current team. Talk about over-saturation if MLS added a 2nd New York franchise.
If Washington state can support two teams then there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. It isn’t about regional rivalries, not even a tiny bit.
White Kix, does this mean I should support DC, New England, or the Philly-area team rather than the Red Bulls? I can get to any of those locations in a couple of hours.
It’s all about keeping the teams alive, if two teams can succeed in one area, so be it. Look at literally every other professional sport in this country.
Which is all great, but it still looks like a converted baseball stadium…would baseball continue to be played there?
With 2.1 mil (and growing) population (#23), I’ve got no problem with the city size.
Regional rivalries should not be considered until MLS has a national footprint. If you can take a day trip to an opponent, then you are close enough to root for that opponent. MLS desparatley needs a team in the southeast. I’m from Seattle, and was not able to get to many MLS games because of the distance. No I’m in Florida, and in the same situation. Plus, Portland is all talk. When they sell out USMNT games, half the stadium is from Seattle anyhow.
WTF is right on with the teams that are needed… NY needs to have one ‘sound’ team before it gets another.
LA would be my closest team (even though I’m a quakes fan) and I think they should move Chivas to San Diego.
Spread the MLS out to markets that will sustain a solid team will only bring about a 40-team super-league that we could eventually support. (1st and 2nd Division) With hopes of buying out more USL teams… so they can expand in tougher to reach markets.
Bring it ON!!!! Timbers Army to the MLS!!!!
PLEASE MLS PLEASE let Portland in! They are very deserving. You have family there Jen? So do I. ESC will tear up Portland haha
Columbus, Salt Lake City and Kansas City are too small and we giving Portland real consideration. Great fans true, but that’s not enough. Other cities have more to offer.
Although I think MLS would benefit from bringing successful ULS cities into MLS I wonder if continuing to strengthen the USL is better for soccer in North America. It’s pretty obvious that MLS will never go to a promotion/relegation structure but having to compete against a quality league for players, sponsors, tv, etc will force MLS to be on its toes.
RK: PGE Park is actually a pretty good soccer stadium, and Shortstop LLC actually operates it, so gets revenue from all the different streams. It is in the middle of the city and on public transit. it is also a full-size pitch.
now the problems (of course) it’s fieldturf, which isn’t ideal. it only seats 19,700 or so for soccer, and it only has stands on one side of the pitch. it’s also unexpandable really, since the east wall is 18th street.
Sexy locations are good, but fervent fan base=money, and right now MLS should go for the money.
Love it! Fans are very passionate and it would continue the rivalry with long time enemy Sounders
Awesome! The Portland Timbers have a relatively large loyal fan base and without another major sports team besides the Trailblazers this should be a recipe for success! I love the idea! MLS should approve without hesitation!
Colorado and Real Salt Lake have that little rocky mountain trophy. I don’t see why Portland, Seattle couldn’t do something similar other than the conjested schedule reasoning.
Maybe some day in the future we could get an MLS team here in Boise!? and all Pac NW states would be represented. Wishful thinking…
Garber’s not giving them a team unless he knows for certain the city’s going to foot that stadium bill. This isn’t the old MLS where you can just get a team in the hopes of securing future government assistance. MLS has the leverage to be picky and the city of Portland will have to step up to the plate and provide guarantees. Just saying you’re working with the city on a deal isn’t good enough.
Interesting idea and I agree that every team should have at least one rival within a day’s driving distance. However, it seems to be becoming an issue of whether or not MLS should be looking to invest in smaller markets like Portland, St. Louis and Montreal that have a better potential fan base or a larger market like New York or Miami which would be in a more visible location but with less fervent support.
I think St. Louis should be next, the NW just got a team. Keep rockin’ it though Timbers, soon, very soon.
I grew up in Portland and soccer is huge. I would love to see a team there. They have no other major league professional sport competition (football, baseball) which makes it a great place to put a team. I think the Blazers have shown how much support a big league team can garner in a City without multiple sports.
The only negative — and it’s a big one — is the baseball stadium that they want to use. No thanks.
i like their logo… seems anceint and full of history… not corporate and clean…
portland is a quality choice… personally i think they should get a team asap…. my choices all along for the next 2 were Portland and STL….
Ives, how many cities have officially “applied” for an expansion franchise?
Portland is one of few citys i think should get an MLS team…
Montreal
Portland
Vancouver
St.Louis
I think it’s great, plus I have family in both places so I have a place to stay for NY away games
Great news! I’d love to see the Timbers in the MLS and have an instant rivalry with the Sounders as they have the last few years in USL. Also could be a rivalry in the making with the Earthquakes maybe? The next two slots should go to Montreal and Portland easily for 2011.
Great news! I’d love to see the Timbers in the MLS and have an instant rivalry with the Sounders as they have the last few years in USL. Also could be a rivalry in the making with the Earthquakes maybe? The next two slots should go to Montreal and Portland easily for 2011.
Portland may not be sexy like New York, Vegas or Miami, but I would LOVE to see Portland get a team. It’d enhance the USL rivalry between Seattle and Portland and would be a great market for MLS. While it is important to get into the big markets such as Philly, the league must also have a few strongholds that aren’t in the biggest markets, but have passionate fanbases and I think Portland can be one of those.