Saputo Wanting Money For MLS Club

Ah just when you think Montreal will never be in Major League Soccer and stay a USL-1 side forever, think again.

According to The Canadian Press, Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo is seeking $25 million in government funding to expand its stadium and strengthen its bid for a MLS club.

“It’s something we never looked at and it’s something we’ll have to, or else we’re going to see the train pass again and that’s something we can’t let happen,” Saputo said Wednesday at a team banquet.

“We worked hard to develop the sport of soccer in Quebec and we have to start being more aggressive because infrastructure money is available and we can’t be shy to take a look at potentially getting some of that money so we can bring the next level of soccer here, which would be the MLS.”

Saputo mentions other MLS expansion clubs that have done a similar thing saying “they did it so why not us too?”

What’s the best part of this article though? Saputo hopes he can get a club to join MLS by 2011 or 2012. Hmm…interesting.

You know I am all for these clubs doing whatever it takes, even if it means dipping into the government funds to get the job done. This will be an interesting story to keep an eye on for the next few months. While I doubt Montreal will join Vancouver and Portland in 2011, it does seem like 2012 isn’t too far out of the question.