By: Gail Fontenaille, writer and resident of Beaverton, Oregon

It’s no longer a question of ‘will we or won’t we’. It’s official and it’s exciting. Portland will 
be entering the race to be the next expansion target for Major League Soccer. And we’ve 
got a deadline.

Earlier today, MLS officials provided a timeline for candidate cities to submit their bids, citing 
an October 15th deadline. Bloggers and expansion watchers had only a couple of hours to 
comment on Portland’s chances given what was widely regarded to be a very tight timeline, 
before Paulson announced his intention to submit a bid by October 15th.

Those who follow the MLS expansion process from afar know that Paulson has hinted at the 
use of public support to upgrade PGE Park for both MLS and PSU Football. The hope among 
those pushing for expansion to other cities was that the October 15th date would be too 
soon for a bid that involved city decision makers since Mayor Elect and MLS supporter Sam 
Adams would not assume his new post until November.

That’s not the case. As a result of the economic revitalization aspects of the plan in addition 
to the tourism, business and cultural and public facilities elements, there is already broad 
support in the Portland City Council for the project that would also be a green light for 
MLS. While the city will surely allow for due process and public feedback, this could 
theoretically be approved in the very short term. 

With what Paulson describes as “the most ardent and authentic soccer fanbase in the 
United States,” as well as a commitment to invest in the historic jewel that is PGE Park, 
Portland should rightly emerge as the city to beat for MLS expansion in 2011. 

See the full announcement below:


PAULSON, PORTLAND TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR MLS EXPANSION FRANCHISE

For immediate release: July 31, 2008
PORTLAND, Ore. – Merritt Paulson, owner and president of the Portland Timbers and 
Portland Beavers, today announced plans to submit an application for a Major League 
Soccer (MLS) franchise that would play at PGE Park in downtown Portland, Ore.

MLS today announced the timeline and application process for the league’s next two 
expansion teams, with plans to add two clubs by 2011 to bring the league to 18 teams. 
MLS, which will consider markets in the United States and Canada, has set an Oct. 15, 2008, 
deadline for applications.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Major League Soccer in Portland would both add a 
tremendous amount to the league and have a phenomenally positive impact on our 
community and state,” Paulson said. “We have the most ardent and authentic soccer 
fanbase in the United States, and Soccer City USA deserves a Major League Soccer team. 

“In the coming months, we look forward to making an exceptionally strong case to both MLS 
and our community as to why Portland should be designated as one of the next two MLS 
expansion cities.”

MLS has indicated that an announcement regarding the next two expansion clubs will take 
place during the fourth quarter of 2008 or the first quarter of 2009. 

About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer 
league in the United States and features many stars from the U.S. and around the world. 
Now in its 13th season, the 14 teams in MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas 
USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los 
Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose 
Earthquakes and Toronto FC. Seattle Sounders FC will join the League in 2009 and a 
Philadelphia expansion team will debut in 2010.

-- visit www.portlandtimbers.com --