Mayor-Elect Sam Adams Supportive of Portland’s MLS Efforts

By: Bob Kellett | June 11th, 2008

Mayor-elect Sam Adams appeared on 955 The Game (Download the MP3) on Tuesday and among other things he talked about Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson’s efforts to land a Major League Soccer expansion. I’ve transcribed and summarized a few of his thoughts below.

He’s a soccer fan
“I hope one day to work up to being a Timbers Army guy. I am a big fan of soccer and a big fan of the Timbers. They are a part of what makes Portland special and weird and wonderful.”

On Merritt Paulson
“Merritt is doing a great job. I am pleased he has taken over PGE Park. I think it is smart and wonderful for him to concentrate on brining MLS to Portland. I am supportive of his efforts.”

What role the city can play in MLS expansion
“The city can play a number of roles. Everything from revenue bonds that put the credit of the city behind helping to make purchases or upgrades to facilities, but the actual bonds are paid off with proceeds from the games themselves. They are a variety of ways that the public could help without taking any resources away from basic services. Those conversations we will have after he [Paulson] does his homework on the market and his facility needs.”

Why soccer and why not baseball?
“It [MLS] is more financially doable and we have someone who is interested in bringing it here who has the financial wherewithal to do it. We don’t have that with baseball. We’re Soccer City USA. I think the possibilities for MLS in Portland are really, really exciting. Soccer is more doable for Portland than major league baseball.”

What are the benefits of bringing MLS to the city?
“It has the potential to raise our profile in terms of a sports city and overall recognition in the United States. It keeps us an interesting city. It gives things for people to do, for families to do….Soccer is in tune with the international vibe of the city and improving international connections with the world. I like that part of it.”

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From my perch behind a computer in an undisclosed location, Adams is saying all the right things. He understands how soccer fits into the Portland landscape and he is willing to explore how the city can help Merritt Paulson in his MLS efforts without framing this as a sports vs schools/services issue. This is an entirely different perspective than the one belonging to the mayor he is replacing who had no stomach for even talking about sports. There are still a million steps to go before Portland is awarded an MLS team, but I certainly feel better knowing that Sam Adams is on board with the idea.

Now if only he could play forward and score 25 goals for this year’s team!