We hadn’t heard much about developments in the MLS2PDX campaign until something sneaky this way came, in a Dwight Jaynes blog entry:
Leonard says it’s in the bag if all goes well with PGE Park. “It’s clear to me that it’s ours to lose,” Leonard said Wednesday.”
But without attribution or much follow up–the quote above is 25% of the words of Jaynes’ post–I sent an email to Commissioner Leonard to ask about the quote, the meeting and if there was anything he’d like to add.
The ENTIRE e-mail, a video of the Sounders marching band and other news about Portland’s competition, after the jump:
“Hi Mark-
I did meet with both Don Gardner, the MLS commissioner, and Merritt Paulson, the owner of the Portland Timbers, last Tuesday in New York City.The meeting was focused on what issues need to be addressed in order that Portland have a viable application for an MLS expansion team.
It was clear to me that before MLS would award Portland an expansion team, MLS would need a commitment from Merritt Paulson, presumably with the City of Portland as a partner, that would require the modification of PGE park to accommodate a major league soccer team.
Such an expansion would include the addition of stadium seating on the east side of the current stadium, among other modifications.
From the meeting, it was apparent that such a written plan along with a commitment to implement that plan needs to be submitted to MLS before March.
I would expect the City of Portland and Merritt to begin negotiating soon as to each parties role in developing a package that will be submitted to MLS committing to the PGE modifications MLS requires in order to be awarded an expansion team.
I hope that helps, Mark….Randy”
So Commissioner Leonard spilled some boilerplate on his blackberry. There’s nothing surprising in the email beyond confirmation that Paulson and the City have held court with Commish Garber (yes, it’s a typo above) and the MLS at their New York offices.
The obvious follow-up question is whether every bidding group gets that meeting. I don’t know if anyone who knows the answer would confirm it, but I’d say it’s pretty likely.
SO: We know that all chance Portland may have for landing an MLS expansion franchise rests on the Stadium plan for PGE park, but talks are continuing and the MLS is focused on the stadium issues.
The MLS has demanded Soccer Specific Stadium plans from expansion franchises since Real Salt Lake and CD Chivas USA joined the League in 2004. RSL just opened the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, and Chivas share Home Depot Center in Carson California, with the David Beckham Traveling Circus. I’m loath to mention that the Seattle Sounders managed to completely avoid the requirement by bribing MLS officials to judge Qwest field an appropriate ‘Soccer Specific Stadium’ with promises of marching bands and signing over-the-hill Swedish Underwear models.
God damnit I hate the fucking Sounders. MLS2PDX so we can trounce those sorry bastards and their out of tune, overweight marching band. PLus Joe Roth is a dick.
In other news, many people have asked me why FC Barcelona might be interested in an MLS franchise. They would not be the first club from outside the US to invest in the American game–Real Salt Lake has a partnership deal with Real Madrid, CD Chivas USA is the American outpost of CD Chivas de Guadalajara–but their proposed management/ownership relationship would be unique. Beyond opportunities to spread FC Barcelona as a global brand and player development, Barcelona appear to be chasing a unique opportunity: Tax Breaks. Sports Illustrated reports that Barcelona is seeking a tax exemption deal that could net them $2.6 million a year. Smart folks.
Aww, it’s so cute how you Portlanders get so worked up about your inherent inferiority to the Emerald City. Let’s face it, your tired little PGE Park is no match for the splendor of Qwest Field (which is a fine stadium for Football, both the American and International types). When Vancouver (the pretty one, not the reeking cesspool of misery that is across your fetid river) gets the expansion slot that you so desperately desire to further your delusions of grandeur, perhaps then you will come to recognize the innate superiority of Seattle in all matters.
Overweight, out of tune, and still superior to anything PDX could produce;
El Pato
fvck Shittle
El Pato, How’s that basketball thing working out for you guys?
Would someone who didn’t feel inherent inferiority take the time to write on a post about MLS to Portland? Wouldn’t your inherent superiority make coming here kind of beneath you?
Thought not. But I’m sure your fans will love showing up to see the marching band.
No, of course not. Just as missionaries and Peace Corps members travel the world to bring the light of knowledge to the ignorant masses, I feel it is my duty to show you denizens of the backwater that is the Rose city that there is a better way. As a matter of fact, I was showing your sister a better way just the other night! But I digress. As shown by our season ticket sales – the highest in MLS before we’ve even played a game, our fans are planning on enjoying the entire spectacle that will be a Sounders Match. As to the departure of the Sonics, we now have no debt on the Arena, and a solid plan in place for basketball to return by 2010. Perhaps we could entice a team from a second-tier mid-market city to come play in our major league city, along with the NFL, MLB, and MLS teams that Portland will never be able to support. Just when is the lease up on the Rose Garden again?
Joe Roth is still a dick, ducky. Your ownership will betray you, and the 6 other fans hopelessly trying to make 65,000 empty seats not look pathetic.
I’d rather live in a city that you consider inferior as opposed to living in a place that smells like dead fish. Fvck off and die you absolute wank stain. Can’t wait until we meet again
And so we meet again, FTSS. I hope you were brimming with antici…
…pation! But I don’t understand your ‘dead fish’ comment. Mary’s is in Portland, not Seattle.
you’re right el pato. the sounders are truly far superior to the timbers in every way. how many fans do you have again? no, not tickets. buying a ticket to an event doesn’t make you a fan.
oh yeah, and how many goals did you score on us last season? what was the aggregate goals again?
you’re right el pato. the sounders are truly far superior to the timbers in every way. how many fans do you have again? no, not tickets. buying a ticket to an event doesn’t make you a fan.
oh yeah, and how many goals did you score on us last season? what was the aggregate goals again?
So what you are saying El Pato is that the city of Vancouver, WASHINGTON that is governed by the state laws of WASHINGTON is a “reeking, cesspool of misery”? The same state of WASHINGTON that governs Shittle. Funny how Vancouver, WASHINGTON and Shittle have so much in common – shit transportation, worse quality of life, disgustingly fat and slothenly citizens, horrible land use planning, crap beer and even worse fans. You do realize that you are pretty stupid right?
So what you are saying El Pato is that the city of Vancouver, WASHINGTON that is governed by the state laws of WASHINGTON is a “reeking, cesspool of misery”? The same state of WASHINGTON that governs Shittle. Funny how Vancouver, WASHINGTON and Shittle have so much in common – shit transportation, worse quality of life, disgustingly fat and slothenly citizens, horrible land use planning, crap beer and even worse fans.
Now you take the city of Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA and compare it to Portland you suddenly see amazing similarities. Nobody from Vancouver, BC goes to Shittle and says “this is just like our city!”. But I hear that all the time about Portland.
And when it comes to your “ticket sales”. Corporate, corporate, corporate. You are still gonna be a club with no heart and no soul and no fans. You will be echoing around a giant empty football stadium and as soon as you start getting your ass kicked (which all expansion teams do) the rats will flee the ship. Shittle has the the most fair weather fans on the planet.
You do realize that you are pretty stupid right?
shittleites love shittle, that is it, no pride in the rest of the state of Washington. They are so ever consumed by their own sense of self gratifications that they hunker in their shittleite hole and denounce all that exists outside outside of their own stench. WASHINGTON HATES shittle!, the rest of the state that you poor excuse for human beings are aloud to exist can not even stand you.
I being a proud Washingtonian, love my state, love our people, love the TIMBERS, and will forever hate shittle. Nothing about shittle is superior to PDX, your arrogance alone is a sign of what is truly wrong at the rotten core of your city.
PGE park has atmosphere, qworst has empty seats and will continue to have empty seats once your Soccer Mom FC shine wears off.
Hey infamous…what was the score of the last game we played you guys, oh and where was it? follow up question. How many titles do you scum have? your complex derives from your constant runner up attitude, that and those losing records you keep stacking up. (Thanks for holding up the rest of the league this past year). Oh and to add more evidence to your complex, how many stars have you made….besides that joke gordon? Ill spare the list of players we have made and leave you with 1. Brian Ching.
Van yeah! Por No way!