While Portland may have not finished in the top two of the WVH Poll for expansion (that nod went to St. Louis and Montreal), they have put out their plan today for MLS expansion, including what they plan to do with current Timbers venue PGE Park.

According to MLStoPortland.com, the plan to renovate PGE Park includes:

• Modification Timeline
  • Phase I Changes – Among other modifications, key changes include wider concourses enabling larger crowds and development of new facilities for the MLS team.
  • Phase II Changes – Among other modifications, key changes include permanent stands and concessions on 18th Ave. side of PGE Park and a restaurant with a view of the playing field on the upper deck of the park’s north end.
• Importance of building Timbers brand at next level of soccer
  • Desire to keep Portland Timbers name
  • Build upon best features of current soccer experience, including section 107
  • Add amenities to enhance overall game experience for all

The plan all seems good, but it probably still hangs on if Merritt Paulson can get a new baseball park for his Triple-A club.

I do think that putting all this information out there helps Portland and could hurt some other hopefuls out there. Their plan seems to be pretty well thought out and having their city behind it really helps. This bid could very well spoil some out there.

For more information on the renovation plan and other items, download this information .

Major League Soccer to the city of Portland is starting to get a heavier push by Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson. The expansion bid into the major league is set to go in full swing here as the MLS expansion deadline is coming to a close in the next month.

The city is behind it and all they need to get to work on a minor league baseball park for the local Triple-A team. Getting that team out of PGE Park will easily help Paulson and his group spend the money on the proper renovations that MLS wants to see.

There is a word that there could be an announcement today in Portland explaining the expansion bid in full details. If there is anything that goes on I will let you know about it.

A lot can easily change between now and the year 2012 in Major League Soccer. But after yesterday’s comments in Montreal made by MLS commissioner Don Garber, the league may be expanding more now than we really had ever thought it would.

When addressing the expansion probability for Montreal on a day that they opened their new stadium (Stade Saputo), Garber said his usual 18-club league by the next few years but did add that they feel like they could do more than that. He didn’t explain how many more cities or how long of a time frame for that.

The main point he made was that the league is going to take their time and get it right. Team values are going up as well as the expansion fees for these cities. The cities in the mix are just hoping to cash in on the fun before its too late here.

Now this isn’t a talk about the league expanding too quickly or things that need to be in place for the league to expand to 18 or even 20 clubs. We know those things and will be able to point them out at another time. I’m sure MLS is looking at the long-term picture of the league here and is hoping to finish shaping the league’s expansion over the next five to 10 years. I just wanted to take time today and throw out what each city has to offer and what still needs to be done with each.

The latest rounds of expansion have easily been the best the league has seen in it’s short history. Getting clubs in towns like Toronto, Seattle and Philly were key for the league. Its paid off too as Toronto continues to sellout their stadium, Seattle has reportedly gotten between 15,000-16,000 season ticket holders for next year, and Philly is nearing in on the 6,000 season ticket total for when they start in 2010.

Its obviously a good thing for cities like Montreal, Portland and Vancouver to be in the spot light in recent weeks for various reasons. Each are hoping to be one of those next two expansion cities but just as the other hopefuls they all have work to do.

Garber said they would know where they want to go within the next year. So don’t be too shocked to see cities pop up in the discussion over the next couple of months, especially before the All-Star game. Each will want to put their best foot forward in hopes to get that next bid for the 17th and 18th spots in MLS.

So let’s break it down about what each has to offer MLS (no particular order here either). I may miss a point or two so feel free to comment on them below. Continue Reading…