Oregonian: Portland to Get MLS Team No. 18 on Friday

• The Oregonian, Thursday, March 19, 2009 4:15 PM

Concluding an exhilarating week for the Northwest soccer world that included the announcement of Vancouver as the next MLS expansion team on Wednesday and the soldout season opener of the new Seattle Sounders franchise on Thursday, a report from The Oregonian has Portland being named as the league's 18th team on Friday.

Citing sources within City Hall, the announcement is expected to come in a press conference tomorrow. Although MLS spokesperson Dan Courtemanche would neither confirm or deny that the city's bid will be made official, he did confirm that MLS Commissioner Don Garber is meeting with Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson this week.

Last week the Portland City Council voted 3-2 in favor of a plan to give Paulson "more than $60 million in city-backed bonds for renovating PGE Park and building a Rose Quarter stadium for the Beavers," although final details on the funding plan still need to be settled and agreed upon by the city.

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