After watching Vancouver land an MLS franchise, Joey Saputo wants the Canadian government to help his Impact get to the top flight.

Saputo announced today that he plans to ask the government (per Andrew, who would know better than I, probably the provincial government) for $25 million (not sure if that's U.S. or Canadian) in aid to upgrade the Impact's stadium.

"It's something we never looked at and it's something we'll have to, or else we're going to see the train pass again and that's something we can't let happen."

Interesting words from the Montreal man, and a clear admission that things didn't go quite the way they were supposed to the last time around.

Much was made of Saputo's reluctance to pay the MLS expansion fee during the last selection process, with most observers having Montreal as a shoe-in if not for the petulance of the Impact's owner.

Because I wasn't privy to the communications between Saputo and the league, I'll refrain from convicting the man of anything; still, this most recent revelation would seem a reversal if it was in fact his fault that MLS left the Impact at the altar.

"We worked hard to develop the sport of soccer in Quebec and we have to start being more aggressive because infrastructure money is available and we can't be shy to take a look at potentially getting some of that money so we can bring the next level of soccer here, which would be the MLS."

Also gone? Any delusions of grandeur on the part of the Impact. It appeared, for at least a short period, that the USL side was "content" to remain in the lower-tier league, building up their football credentials with Champions League success and crowds of 50,000 (even if it was a one-off situation).

Vancouver and Toronto have both received (or will receive) federal government dollars to upgrade or build stadiums. If nothing else, Saputo is doing his due diligence, exploring all options open to his club and his city.

"So there's nothing wrong with thinking we should do the same,"

Montreal, and Saputo, still want that MLS membership; I don't know how successful they might be in obtaining government funding to upgrade Stade Saputo, but it's clear that we'll be hearing about Montreal as an expansion candidate at least until the next round of Major League Soccer expansion concludes.