Montreal bids for a 2011 MLS expansion spot

[EPJr]

http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/mediaUS/20090506/biello2_412.jpg

Montreal Impact owner Joey Saputo is determined to get his club into Major League Soccer by 2011, and there are signs that MLS might be willing to accommodate his request, ESPNsoccernet has learned.

"I'm trying to push for 2011," Saputo said. "I feel very, very comfortable that we'll be ready. We've spoken about that with the [MLS] commissioner [Don Garber], and he understands that."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=657253&sec=mls&root=mls&cc=5901

[EPJr]

Garber visits Montreal to discuss future expansion

NEW YORK -- Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber visited Montreal Wednesday to meet with Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo and government officials to discuss possible MLS expansion into Canada's second-largest market.

Commissioner Garber, who was joined by MLS President Mark Abbott for the meetings, met with Joey Saputo last night and then traveled this morning with the Impact president to meet with Quebec Minister of Finance Raymond Bachand and Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay.

"We continued our discussions with the Saputo family about a future MLS expansion team in Montreal and had very productive meetings with Minister Bachand about securing funding for the expansion of Saputo Stadium," Garber said following his morning meetings. "We've stated many times that Montreal would be a great market for MLS and we look forward to continuing our discussions."

"We are very happy with the visit of the MLS executives in Montreal," declared Impact President Joey Saputo. "The meetings this morning with Minister Bachand and Mayor Tremblay were very positive. It's clear for us, and now more than ever, that the arrival of MLS in Montreal is only a question of time. We are hoping to have news in the first quarter of 2010."

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20091209&content_id=7781752&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp

[appmaj]

2 Canadian MLS teams???

[89Hen]

Just what the sport needs... overexpansion. Ask the NHL how that's working out.

[chrisattsu]

2 Canadian MLS teams???

It worked for the NBA and MLB right?

[89Hen]

It worked for the NBA and MLB right?
It's like the restaurant that changes owners every year.... I know the others failed, but I'm sure WE can make it work. :p

[Dane96]

2 Canadian MLS teams???

This is the worst kept secret in YEARS...not sure why you are shocked.

This is going to be good for the game; Montreal has a huge soccer community...and the rivalry with Toronto will be fierce.

They would be the third team because unless I am mistaken, I thought Portland AND Vancouver got bids approved (Vancouver the obvious third team).