A reminder to Portland Timbers season ticket holders – renew your tickets before November 1st to get them at 2009 prices; you’ll pay more if you wait! – I got mine!
Timbers Offseason Updates By Kip Kesgard at Oregonlive.com
The offseason continues, but there is plenty of Timbers news to talk about over the past few weeks, especially with the USL season officially completed back on Saturday, October 17th. I’m playing a bit of catchup, but will talk about a lot of items affecting the USL and the Timbers, as the USL wrapped up its 2009 campaign.
The USL did give out its end of the year honors, and some of the boys in green and white were amongst the group of people being considered in the categories of Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, and Coach of the Year. [More]
Paulson, Portland should be a good fit — if he figures out how things work here By Anna Griffin at The Oregonian
[Merritt Paulson] could be a major player in Oregon’s future, particularly if we hope to ever woo another major sport. But to do that, to even get the current deal done, he must learn even more about how business works here, about the unique challenges required to succeed in a place that’s so innately skeptical of the power and money he seems to represent. [More]
Paul Conway elected to USL Hall of Fame By Mike Lacett at Count on News 2
“I am very honored and proud to be recognized for my contribution to the USL,” said Conway. “My years in Charleston and brief time in Portland provided many memorable and enjoyable moments. As the USL continues to play an important role in the development of soccer throughout North America and beyond, being recognized as an individual who helped contribute, albeit in a small way, is personally very rewarding.” [More]
Portland Loves Its Grass By paulsepp at Dropping Timber
With the renovations to PGE Park looming on the horizon, many fans have begun to wonder if the 2011 Portland Timbers will be playing on natural grass or will they be forced to continue on the artificial turf? [More]
Meanwhile, like during every United Soccer League off season, there are rumors and news and conflicting reports about the viability of the league and teams. For example, from October 28th:
Report: Whitecaps, Impact will not return to USL in 2010 at TSN
Although the Montreal Impact defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps in this past month’s USL final, it appears as though neither team will be in the league next season according to one of the league’s two owners, Alek Papadakis. [More]
Contrast that with news from October 29th:
USL bullish on Canada future at USLSoccer.com
“We are excited to hear of the USL plans,” said Montopoli in regards to USL opening a Canadian office.
It is expected that Canadian expansion will be a topic of serious discussion at next week’s USL-1 League Owners meeting in Beaverton, Oregon. [More]
So perhaps next week we’ll know more . . .
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