Paulson, Portland to submit application for MLS expansion franchise
July 31, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Portland Timbers News Release
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) expansion 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.
• Discuss this story on the USL First Division message board...
USL First Division Stories from July 31, 2008
- Cerritos expected to join the RailHawks this weekend - North Carolina FC
- Sounders acquire prodigy - Seattle Sounders
- Sounders travel to Puerto Rico to face Islanders - Seattle Sounders
- Paulson, Portland to submit application for MLS expansion franchise - Portland Timbers
- Timbers Acquire Bryan Jordan On Loan For Remainder Of 2008 Season - Portland Timbers
- Timbers' Knighton, Knowles Named To First Division Team Of The Week - Portland Timbers
- Miami FC to play Haiti with free admission this Saturday - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Sounders receive midfielder Ciaran O'Brien on loan, sign forward Kevin Forrest - Seattle Sounders
- RailHawks Host Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday August 1 at 8:00 PM in "Orange Out" Night - North Carolina FC
- Tigers Trade Impacts âCaps - Vancouver Whitecaps
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
