Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey believes that the addition of MLS expansion franchises Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers is great for the game, not only in the USA, but also in Canada.
Both clubs have come from the United Soccer League and Lagerwey is confident that their inclusion will be a huge success as MLS expands to 18 teams in 2011.
"Really positive, really healthy for the league," he said in an interview with Deseret News.
"I think Canada specifically is a massive market for the league. When Montreal comes in next year you'll have three teams up there. I think soccer has a chance to be a real big presence in Canada.
"Specifically in that northwest corridor with Vancouver, Portland and Seattle, it's going to be absolutely awesome. I think it's going to be tough for us because I think Vancouver and Seattle are certainly going to act like big market teams.
"With both Portland and Vancouver coming into the Western Conference, and we've already got six teams that made the playoffs last year, the West is much, much better than the East again this year and it's going to be really tough for us again. Hopefully we're up for it."
