Portland Sports Reporter Dwight Jaymes is reporting that Portland City Commisioner Randy Leonard met with Timbers owner Merritt Paulson and MLS Commissioner Don Garber last week in NYC regarding the expansion bid. Portland’s bid will depend on the feasibility of improvements to PGE Park.

Jaymes has a tantalizing quote attributed to Portland City Commissioner Leonard…

“It’s clear to me that it’s ours to lose…”

Image via Shutterfly

An underdog supporters group inspired by “The Sons of Ben” in Philadelphia springs up in Detroit with the goal of getting an MLS team. Crazy? Maybe. A long shot? Certainly. But is the Sons of Ben story and the new Philadelphia team something that could happen again, this time in the Midwest? Are these the “Sons” of the “Sons of Ben”…?

Recently, amidst all the Bizjournal and MLS-rumors reportage on MLS expansion (Miami, Montreal, Portland, St. Louis, Atlanta, Ottowa, and Vancouver), I met a very different group of soccer supporters who are just as committed to being awarded an MLS team someday. Sure, this group isn’t a collection of wealthy investors, but these guys are rich in other ways, and they’ve already started building a grassroots soccer supporter movement inspired by the Sons of Ben that many cities would be envious of. These are the Motor City Supporters, and this is their funny, brave and inspiring story…

More after the jump

(more…)

New Miami website here…

Image via Miamifcb

Spanish soccer power FC Barcelona has signed CAA Sports to represent it in the U.S. in several areas, including extending the club’s slogan — “More Than a Club” — and advising it during the MLS expansion process.

The partnership, which began in February, could expand further if FC Barcelona is awarded an MLS expansion team in Miami. Should that happen, CAA Sports would be involved in the development of that franchise, said FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta.

Image of CAA Headquarters in Century City via Flickr

-17,000 Season Tickets sold so far, 63 Corporate Suites reserved, $20 million sponsorship with Microsoft.

-Next month begins open tryouts, to be filmed for a Joe Roth produced reality show, concluding with a final tryout to be shown live on February 1st following the Super Bowl. Viewers will be able to select the three finalists.

-Today’s Seattle Times is reporting the Sounders are close to announcing the signing of Swedish midfielder and sometime model, Freddie Ljungberg as their Designated Player.

-Perhaps the Sounders are benefiting from the NBA dropping the ball in the city…

Image via Flickr

Construction workers are getting the site ready, in preparation for an official groundbreaking expected in mid-November, according to Sakiewicz.

“We already have a couple million dollars of equipment moving a lot of material and there’s plenty of dirt flying,” Sakiewicz said. “There has also been significant progress with the off-ramps. Things are really moving along. It’s a great time for us right now.”

Between now and the end of January, “We will be launching a naming campaign, releasing season ticket pricing, and announcing our team name, logo and uniform color palette” Sakiewicz said. “We’ll also be filling out our front office, including some key positions, to further enhance our team operation. We’re already interviewing coaches and will be making some very important decisions in the near future.”

Image via MlsPhilly2010

UPDATE: A total of seven cities have submitted bids to MLS today:  Atlanta, Miami, Montreal, Ottawa, Portland, St. Louis, and Vancouver. 

Speculation continues at this hour regarding negotiations been the NY Mets ownership group and MLS on a potential stadium site next to the new Mets stadium.  Nothing out of Las Vegas at this point.

According to Goff, MLS will introduce the applicants at 5pm via the MLS website.

Vancouver image via Friendsofsoccer

On October 14, Eugene Melnyk and Senators Sports & Entertainment formally submitted their bid to MLS for an expansion franchise for Ottawa for the 2011 MLS season.

“When we officially launched our bid on Sept. 16, I believed it was imperative that to bring an MLS team to Ottawa and build a stadium of this scope and calibre required, among other things, broad community support,” said Melnyk. “I know we have a strong operational management team and a solid business plan, and now we know the community is behind us.”

Image via BringtheworldtoOttawa