While everyone is high-fiving around PGE Park and (rightly) singing the praises of Merritt Paulson, I'd like to take a moment to thank some of the people who have been working over the past decade or so in order to bring a second major league sports team into the Rose City...

First, Drew Mahalic and the people at the Oregon Sports Authority (who should also be congratulated for getting the NCAA tournament here this week). They are the reason this site exists, and they have been working behind the scenes trying to make a second team pencil out here. Over the past year, it has been obvious to me that a lot of the groundwork for the MLS effort had been laid out by OSA and past efforts. Some examples:

-SB5 paved the way for the current bill to expand it to soccer (thus securing $5m for stadium construction);
-The 2000 remodel of PGE Park, which at least brought the facility into the 20th century and helped to keep the Beavers and Timbers here in Portland;
-The reams of data and research on Portland as a viable sports town, stadium research, baseball site selection, etc., much of which was used for the MLS/AAA effort;
-The Women's World Cup match which showcased PGE Park's potential as a soccer specific stadium.

Second, former mayor Vera Katz. It was no coincidence that she attended the MLS ceremony yesterday. She has been a consistent advocate for sports in this community.

Third, David Logsdon with the City of Portland, who has also done a ton of research and number crunching over the years.

I'm sure there are many others, but those people come to mind. My broader point is that yes it was Merritt Paulson who ultimately made this happen with his vision and passion (and money of course), but there have been others who have slogged behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for this, and they should be commended as well.

You're right, CL, especially w/regards to Drew Mahalic. And definitely Thank you Timbers Army. They had a huge impact on this. I was impressed by not only their positive, winning and likeable leadership and their passion, but the Timbers Army's savvy. Placing 8 year old girls armed with "I want MLS in PDX" signs along Salmon St. Springs/Naito Pkwy....putting kids in the front row of the press conference yesterday, putting younger people (teenage/early 20s) behind those kids--not just having a bunch of dudes (not that there's anything wrong w/that, but this is political correctness-obsessed PDX, after all) behind Paulson, but including a couple of young ladies as well...the Timbers Army worked their tails off, and deserve all the props in the world for that, but were also quite the clever marketers ...I definitely still give most of the credit to Paulson--he has bent over backwards financially and otherwise to pursue his and soccer fans' dreams of MLS in PDX. He also has a palpable, genuine love for PDX in general...and, the guy just reeks of winningness (forgive the Bushism) and charisma--sure, the Timbers Army was chanting his name because he's bringing MLS2PDX, but it also has to do with his personality--e.g., he seems to enjoy and be at ease with, the unsavory Timbers Army characters...I am no expert on MLS/AAA economics (e.g. how did Joe Buzas make profits when he owned the Beavers, who drew 9 fans per game? Amazing...BTW, my friend and I, teenagers at that time, comprised about 22% of the total attendance as we watched from the lonely MAC club balcony), opting only to play one on TV, but it seems to me Paulson is really taking a risk financially w/this deal(s) w/PDX. I doubt he thinks he will be making a financial killing w/his MLS/AAA teams. It may sound hokey, but I think it has more to do with his love of soccer/PDX/sports in general, than making millions....I think his gamble will pay off ultimately, but it hardly seems a no-brainer financially for him...