MLS Commissioner Don Garber is excited about the progress of the stadium renovations for expansion franchise Portland Timbers.

The Timbers enter MLS next season, along with Vancouver Whitecaps, and are currently in the midst of building a soccer-specific venue on the old PGE Park site and Garber is thrilled by what is happening in Portland.

"Hearing the sound of earth moving, it's music to my ears," the Commissioner said.

"We're literally changing the landscape of professional sports in North America with these projects. Portland is really at the sweet spot of all that activity.

"This is my favorite part of the job," Garber added. "You've spent years of working on a project, to actually finally break the ground, even if it's ceremonial, it just shows that everything we're doing has a purpose."

Timbers owner Merritt Paulson chimed in, thanking the fans for their help and support as things continued to move forward ahead of 2011.

"This doesn't happen without our fans," Paulson said. "The Timbers Army were there for us every step of the way, pushing this thing forward.

"It almost feels like a culmination. Yet in the same token, it's really a beginning. It's a little surreal, but, it's good."