Stoking the hopes of MLS

It’s hard to think big in a contracting economy, but it would be unwise for Portland to do anything else

Portlanders have a bad habit of thinking small even when times are terrific. And right now, the dismal economy is a perfect backdrop for a particularly Portland brand of pessimism. Thinking small, at the moment, seems like the only game in town.

But that’s shortsighted. The city can’t afford to shrink its ambitions. When the economy rebounds, as it almost certainly will, Portland could miss out on a huge opportunity — Major League Soccer.

The league is looking to expand by two teams, plans to make the decision next spring and is looking very favorably at Portland. This is good news.

Meanwhile, in Merritt Paulson, the city has someone who doesn’t come along every day, a potential major league owner. Paulson, who owns the Beavers Triple A baseball team, is willing to put up $40 million to bring a Major League Soccer franchise here.

– Excerpt from The Oregonian Editorial, December 15, 2008