Weren't you just, in another thread, yapping about how..."I would love to do away with Portland's city council, run for Mayor and walk around with pink slips and a ledger. I would get this city whipped into shape so fast, the Dems wouldn't be able to stop me fast enough!" So where do you find the money for a quarter million dollar renovation to turn PGE into an NFL or MLB stadium mayor? Where the fuck are 70,000 fans going to park? Downtown? Hahaha! That's absurd. So you'd have to build a new stadium, probably on the east side. Now you're talking about half a billion dollars (minimum) for an NFL/MLB park. Which way do you want it? Do you want Portland to think big (and therefore spend big?) or do you want to 'trim the fat?' or do you just say whatever suits you at the time you say it?
lol thats what I get for trying to dumb it down for you fools jk Agoo is the go to guy for anything US soccer, I have no problem admitting that. But way to make me look like a dumbass Agoo!
Wheels, not at all my intent. I've been following the league since I got into the sport during the '02 World Cup, so I should know much more than someone who is just starting to follow the league. Most of what you said was right, but the single entity ownership was a key missing point that most people who don't follow the league closely wouldn't know about. I'm also very anti-Euro-snob in my soccer fandom. I certainly think that it has its place and you should follow the top leagues around the world, but Americans should be able to watch MLS as it is their league and respect it for what it is.
Wow, someone has their panties in a bunch. Ever worked in government? I could probably fund a stadium simply by trimming the fat in this city over a period of a decade. All that money we spent on bike lanes and those ridiculous green bike boxes sure wouldn't hurt towards a stadium. I said, "think big" I didn't say big government. Portland has squandered millions and hasn't even really done anything to alleviate the pressure of a growing population. Sorry, but stadiums bring jobs and money to our city. If it isn't located downtown, which really isn't the most ideal spot for it, that's fine. Find somewhere else to put it, but I still think it's a waste of money to expand an old and small time stadium that can only be used for one thing. But hey, that's just me saying whatever suits me at this time.
Most studies I've read and articles summarizing many studies indicate that a stadium doesn't really bring money or prosperity to the cities that shell out tons of money for them.
lol I know I'm just messing with you. I actually did say single entity in my head when writing all my stuff down. I just let it slip away though. But yeah MLS is pretty new to me. I have liked soccer for a long time. I started actually liking the sport right around the 94 World Cup here.. but would fade in and out each World Cup until around the same time like 2002. Coverage for Soccer here was not very good with no cable or internet until I was I think 18 lol.
A little bit of info from ESPN Soccernet's Jeff Carlisle. The two to five guys that Wilkinson referenced seem to line up with the two definites and three possibilities mentioned by Wheels in the first post. Some other options could be Quavas Kirk, Adin Brown, and Kevin Goldthwaite. I know Brown didn't play much and I'm not sure what Kirk did. Goldthwaite would be a pretty safe bet in my opinion as he signed from Red Bulls at the end of the season and I wouldn't be surprised if it was sort of a wink and nod agreement that he'd be returning to MLS with the timbers next season. As for the MLS scouting they're doing, the draft can be a big time for wheeling and dealing depending on how the Timbers want to build. Philly ended up with a glut of draft picks and Portland could do the same, or bring in many of their targeted players.
Kahlif Alhassan, and Mamadou Danso are two players that stood out this season, especially Alhassan. Injuries or not Kirk wasn't very good. Check this! [video=youtube;VKH-fjfNJI0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKH-fjfNJI0[/video]
Its too early to start projecting the expansion draft, but I can see a good international player available from my beloved New England Revolution as I sit here and watch them on ESPN2. In the past, rules were that you could only protect four and clubs are allowed five. The Revs have Emmanuel Osei (defender, Ghana), Marko Perovic (midfield, Serbia), Sainey Nyassi (winger, The Gambia), Kenny Mansally (winger/forward, The Gambia), and Ilja Stolijca (forward, Serbia). I'd bet on Osei or Mansally being available. Nyassi starts regularly so he probably won't be available, but he'd add an interesting wrinkle to the Portland-Seattle matches as his twin brother Sanna plays for the Sounders. Regardless of what happens, there will be plenty of talent available. The last couple of SuperDrafts have been very strong, particularly last year. If either side starts stockpiling picks, this draft is shaping up to be as strong as any before it as well.
First four signings were announced and today they announced eight guys they're not going to bring with them. Doesn't seem like any of these guys were a surprise, though Joy probably had a shot as he has MLS and European experience and served as captain last season.
Rumor has it that Joy might not have been ok with the vets minimum. He could probably play for more than that much closer to his home and his daughter. Cant say I blame him. I will miss our Charasmatic Captain though. I wish all the players well.
