Courtesy of OregonLive through WVHooligan comes an update on the Portland MLS efforts: Timbers owner Merritt Paulson is talking tough about a potential stadium deal with the city of Beaverton for his minor league baseball team, claiming the MLS will not be coming to Portland with out the ballpark deal.

It certainly sounds like posturing from Paulson, especially as the Portland City Council were surprised to hear of his position. For his part, Paulson maintains that he has been consistent in saying that joining MLS is contingent upon his ability to find a new home for the Beavers baseball team.

After the two projects, the renovations of PGE Park for the Timbers and a new baseball stadium for the Beavers, were split by Portland leaders, soccer fans were likely under the assumption that things were settled. But delays have plagued agreements between Paulson and the city, and this recent lashing out in regards to the baseball teams throw a wrench in the process. Whether or not Paulson is tough-talking without any real intention of backing out of MLS is unclear.

For their part, MLS isn't giving any indication that they're worried. Dan Courtemanche's statement to OregonLive makes no reference to the ongoing stadium squabbles, instead indicating that the league is in regular contact with Paulson and looks forward to the debut of the MLS Timbers in two years time.

Portland, as potentially wonderful a Major League Soccer market as it might be, continues to be a thorn in the side of the league. If Paulson is in fact posturing, he might be playing with fire. In the meantime, soccer fans not in Portland yet excited to see the city join the league, are wondering what exactly is going on.

Paulson "clarified" his statements to Portland officials, perhaps caught in an embarrassing situation after his comments to Beaverton city leaders.

If you have insight as to what exactly is going on with Portland, or if you would like to share your comments on the ongoing struggles to get renovation work started there, do so below.