The last MLS to PDX thread ever...

...Because I went to the City Council meeting today and it's nearly a done deal. When the vote on the final agreement between Merritt's company and the city is taken next week it will pass 4-1. Nick Fish announced he would join Dan Saltzman, Randy Leonard, and Sam Adams in supporting the proposal. Today was discussion/public testimony portion. Sometime during next Wednesday's Council session the vote will be taken and the deal will be official.

This meeting today was slightly on the dry side, mostly the City's general council and finance beaureaucrats summarizing the terms of the agreement but there was also public testimony. I'm glad I took the opportunity to see how government works. It was also my first time even setting foot in City Hall. The Council chamber is a lot smaller than I imagined it would be. But anyway...

One of the things I did not know until today was that Peregrine, MP's company, cannot sell the MLS franchise without Council approval. Neither can MP sell Peregrine without Council's permission. Interesting...

What will be most interesting to Pilot fans is that Fish, in his closing remarks, mentioned Portland's rich soccer heritage. He noted that the top HS player in Oregon played at Lincoln last year and made the Freshman All-America Team this year. Also, he looks forward to the fall when the Pilots will win their third College Cup in 6 years.

Most of all I would thank the Timbers Army members who, over the past year, kept telling the City the benefits of bringing MLS in and were not discouraged by the critics. Without them, none of this happens. FACT.

Now, the fun starts...

Vote was late this morning. Turned out 4-1 (I'm psychic or something )

And because I can't resist:


I love the fact she has to sit next to Randy Leonard at council meetings.

HA! At last we can agree on something soccer-wise for once...

You guys are going to love the MLS. I'm still wondering what delaying the lockout will mean for this years' season. I don't think anything has been resolved, but, the league realizes it can't handle having big-name DP's like Freddy Ljungberg bolting to Europe if a lockout materializes.

Oooooohhhh...

Timbers @ Sounders, March 11th, 6:00.

We'll be coming down the road.