Although passed over recently for expansion, Montreal is making moves to ensure they don’t miss out next time by approaching the government for stadium funds to help join MLS…

Story by AP

“The Montreal Impact is seeking $25 million in government funding to expand its stadium and strengthen its bid for a Major League Soccer franchise.

Joey Saputo, president of the United Soccer Leagues club, said the decision was inspired by government funding of stadiums to be used by the two teams recently granted franchises by MLS for 2011 - Vancouver and Portland, Ore.

“It’s something we never looked at and it’s something we’ll have to, or else we’re going to see the train pass again and that’s something we can’t let happen,” Saputo said Wednesday at a team banquet.

The Vancouver Whitecaps will move into a BC Place Stadium refurbished with government funding and Portland got US$85,000. Toronto FC had its 20,000-seat BMO Field built three years ago with $66 million in public funding.

“So there’s nothing wrong with thinking we should do the same,” Saputo added.

The Saputo family used $15 million of its own money to build 13,000-seat Saputo Stadium, which opened last season. They hope to expand the facility to more than 20,000 seats.

A joint bid by Saputo and Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett was turned down by MLS in October because it did not meet the league’s $40 million expansion fee.

Instead, their bid of more than $40 million was both to boost stadium seating and the expansion fee.

Saputo hopes government funding for a stadium will let the club use the money to get their team into MLS.”

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