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March 18, 2009
MLS: Not so fast, Portland
Major League Soccer announced its expansion plans today, but only halfway: The Vancouver Whitecaps, currently in soccer's top minor league, will become the league's 16th team in 2011 as expected. Announcement of a 17th franchise, though, is on hold, with Portland, St. Louis, and Ottawa all still in the running. Maybe somebody's still worried about that $15 million funding hole.
Well played. You certainly got the inside scoop on portland.
Posted by Daaaaave on March 18, 2009 06:14 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2009/03/mls_appears_headed_to_portland.html
or MLS wants 2 news cycles (rumor of Portland's Friday announcement started last night)
http://www.soccercityusa.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1237348964/0
Better check your sources. This Oregonian article came out out AFTER it was discovered that MLS offcials are set to have a press conference at 930AM On Friday, 3/20 in Portland to announce the awarding of the Portland franchise in 2011. The Oregonian is way behind ont his.
Posted by Chris on March 18, 2009 06:21 PM
Obviously, you're too late to get the news. Either that, or you're trying too hard to fulfill your role of the Grinch.
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123740485457571700
Posted by Will on March 18, 2009 07:02 PM
The Tribune story hadn't shown up on Google News when I posted this. In any case, it's not altogether clear that this will be an expansion announcement, or just a "you're the front-runner once you figure out your stadium deal" announcement. I'll be watching along with you all on Friday.
Posted by Neil on March 18, 2009 07:38 PM
Vancouver is the 17th team, Philadelphia is the 16th.
Posted by scaryice on March 19, 2009 03:23 AM
Thanks - you are of course correct. I really can't trust the Oregonian for anything, can I?
Posted by Neil on March 19, 2009 08:04 AM