Portland Timbers to MLS?

[VikThunder]

I post this here because if the Portland Timbers are successful in their move to MLS, PGE Park will need to be expanded by adding stands on the east side. This would be tremendous for PSU football. PSU needs to step up and get involved in the Timbers' MLS application process.

http://www.navadi.com/news073108.html

Thoughts?

 

[martymoose]

I post this here because if the Portland Timbers are successful in their move to MLS, PGE Park will need to be expanded by adding stands on the east side. This would be tremendous for PSU football. PSU needs to step up and get involved in the Timbers' MLS application process.

http://www.navadi.com/news073108.html

Thoughts?

It's a long shot, but it's a shot.

Thoughts of a full U-type configuration packed with Viking Nation to see a 2nd round playoff game between two top ten teams in a few years gives me goosebumps.

 

[ManOfVision]

I don't know that it is such a longshot. MLS has already stated that 2 teams will be given to a group of 8 cities. Most insiders, though, believe that there are really only 4 cities with realistic chances this time around - Montreal, Vancouver, Portland, and St. Louis. Given the assumption that both teams won't go to Canadian cities, Portland has between a 25% and 33% chance of landing a team for 2011. The Portland City Council seems ready to support the local plan, so there aren't a lot of roadblocks.

 

[ManOfVision]

The Oregonian is on board.

http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/121945110783770.xml&coll=7

 

[VikThunder1]

The Oregonian is on board.

http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/121945110783770.xml&coll=7

Excellent. PSU Athletic Administration has got to get behind this effort.

 

[ManOfVision]

I feel confident that the local funding will come through, but I'm still anxious for Paulson to release the particulars of his plan. Hopefully that will come within the next couple of days.

 

[VikThunder1]

I feel confident that the local funding will come through, but I'm still anxious for Paulson to release the particulars of his plan. Hopefully that will come within the next couple of days.

I'd like to see how the football field will look inside the new confines. This could be a major deal for PSU football. The other concern I have is the turf. Should it be field turf or natural grass?

 

[VikThunder1]

Saw this over at http://www.soccercityusa.com

WHAT: Merritt Paulson , owner and president of the Portland Beavers and Portland Timbers, Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard and Torre Chisholm, Portland State University athletic director, are holding a news conference to discuss plans to bring Major League Soccer to Portland .

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 3 - 9 a.m.

WHERE: PGE Park , 1844 SW Morrison (Fred Meyer Family Deck)
Media should enter through the gates at 18th and Morrison and proceed to the Fred Meyer Family Deck.

 

[ManOfVision]

Saw this over at http://www.soccercityusa.com...

WHAT: Merritt Paulson , owner and president of the Portland Beavers and Portland Timbers, Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard and Torre Chisholm, Portland State University athletic director, are holding a news conference to discuss plans to bring Major League Soccer to Portland .

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 3 - 9 a.m.

WHERE: PGE Park , 1844 SW Morrison (Fred Meyer Family Deck)
Media should enter through the gates at 18th and Morrison and proceed to the Fred Meyer Family Deck.

Excellent!

 

[Pounder]

http://timbers.theoffside.com/portland-mls-expansion/liveblog-portland-mls-press-conference.html

Live blog detailing the happenings at the press conference. Includes a drawing of interest.

You will note that the upper levels are being converted to suites.

 

[ManOfVision]

Sites of interest:

http://www.mlstoportland.com/templates/template6/?page=31

http://www.betterbeaversballpark.com/

 

[ManOfVision]

http://timbers.theoffside.com/portland-mls-expansion/liveblog-portland-mls-press-conference.html

Live blog detailing the happenings at the press conference. Includes a drawing of interest.

You will note that the upper levels are being converted to suites.

Did the AD really say that this would give us the best stadium in the conference and possibly the best FCS stadium in the country? It would be beyond sweet, but still probably not quite as good as Montana's stadium or a few others in the south or upper midwest.

 

[martymoose]

http://timbers.theoffside.com/portland-mls-expansion/liveblog-portland-mls-press-conference.html

Live blog detailing the happenings at the press conference. Includes a drawing of interest.

You will note that the upper levels are being converted to suites.

Looks like the north end may be a restaurant?

http://www.mlstoportland.com/templates/template2/?page=17

 

[ManOfVision]

Yep, and that would be an improvement over the Widmer Beer Garden, which is great for baseball but poorly positioned for football and soccer.

I also noticed a projected capacity of 25k on that site. Recent reports had mentioned a lower capacity, so I'd be excited for 25k.

 

[ManOfVision]

I am anxious to learn about construction details and what would be required to widen concourses. Can we alse assume that with widened concourses we would get improved restrooms, etc?