Yes, I know, Randy Leonard gets half (or most) of the credit, but Adams used his wonk skills to get a plan in place. Had he resigned, not only would it be be unlikely the city council would have had enough votes, it is doubtful Randy "Close the door on your way out Paulson" Leonard could have pulled a package together on his own.

Gutsy smarts is what this city needs. Hopefully we'll see more of it in these trying times.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/03/soccer_deal_okd_short_some_ gre.html

and yes, I know, the soccer plan is not a done deal . . . apparently the Blazers aren't happy campers

Wacky Coincidence Flowchart:

1975: Mayor Neil Goldschmidt --> Secret Teenage Lover --> Portland Timbers NASL Team

2009: Mayor Sam Adams --> Secret Teenage Lover --> Portland Timbers MSL Team

All kidding aside, it is good to see this plan finally getting off the ground. Soccer City U.S.A. has boasted a major league fan base for over three decades, but only a top tier team for a handful of those years. If they are going to modify the park, I think it should be renamed Clive Charles Stadium.

Personally, I'd rather see a Major League Baseball team before a soccer team.

I know we've been down that road before, and it didn't pan out, but I'd still rather have MLB!

I'd rather have ten pokes in the eye with a hot, sharp stick than have "major-league" kickball, er, soccer around here.

This is not a successful or smart move. "Major-league" soccer is a guaranteed failure.

Even the name of the league is BS. According to those who actually care about soccer, the level of play in this league is several steps or more below anything they'd consider major-league.

Also, having glanced at the above article, it looks more like a ploy designed to get the Beavers a new stadium than it does a genuine attempt to drag "major-league" soccer into town.

Adult men who molest minors are not what this city needs.

Besides, soccer sucks as a sport anyway. Can anyone name any other MLS team in the league?

Merritt Paulson's father is a billionaire. Let him back the loans if he wants to play sports mogul.

It doesn’t hurt that Paulson has very deep pockets and is probably the most credible owner for such an undertaking -- as compared to say Marshall Glickman. Let us not forget that Sam Adams learned a very expensive lesson as the chief of staff under Vera Katz when he brokered the old Civic Stadium remodel/Marshall Glickman ownership group deal with the city. That was a very costly endeavor when you consider that another expensive remodel of PGE Park is part of the current deal. Adams had plenty of opportunities to learn what not to do in putting the Paulson deal together – and getting it right this time.

Portland is a very good soccer town, I think it's a good move.

I really hate to say it, because I think it would be a wild success, but baseball ain't going to happen in Portland. The mindset is wrong, there isn't anyone willing to step up and get a team to Portland, enter some kind of public/private partnership on a stadium, and make it happen. PGE Park is not a MLB-class facility, and I am not sure that Portland is willing to make it one.

Meantime, you have a good soccer facility, apparently to be made better with the remodel. Portland surely has the fan base as well.

I'm not all that crazy about soccer, but I'm not selfish either. This is a fantastic move for soccer fans in the city.

Well, I like soccer. I like it best in the beer garden, right on the pitch!

It's a beautiful sport.

Now, if you've not played seriously, it's harder to watch. And the tie really gets most people pissed. But, if you watch for the moves, the interplay, the communication and that great shot, worried that you might be catching a ball with your face, it's just a great time.

PDX is a good soccer town.