Soccer: MLS adds Portland franchise
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland has won its bid for a Major League Soccer team.
League officials joined new franchise owner Merritt Paulson on Friday for the widely expected announcement that the league will have a team in Portland, with play expected to begin in 2011.
Last week, Portland city officials approved a financing deal that would renovate PGE Park for soccer and build a new ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers baseball team.
The city still must come up with a plan to raise $15 million of about $89 million needed for the project.
Portland will join a new franchise in Vancouver, British Columbia, as part of the MLS expansion.