Steven Beauregard, new Montreal-based contributor to the fantastic 24th Minute (not to mention Match Fit USA reader), reports that Joey Saputo expects another expansion announcement from MLS within three weeks.

Of course this means that Saputo expects the Impact to get the call, though it clearly depends on the Montreal owner securing $25 million in stadium upgrade funding from the provincial government of Quebec.

While I wouldn't put it past MLS to quickly name another expansion side, especially if Saputo has all of his ducks in a row, it is just a flabbergastering (made that word up) piece of news.

If we take Saputo at face-value, it appears that perhaps he has worked out a deal with Garber and the board of governors; if the provincial money comes through, Saputo no longer needs to negotiate down the expansion fee. Stadium upgrades taken care of, Joey can foot the MLS bill himself without reservation.

Whatever damage Saputo did to his relationship with MLS is a moot point now. The league clearly wants Montreal, and without the shenanigans Saputo pulled, they would certainly already be on track for 2011.

Are we really to believe that the league will arbitrarily bump up the number of 2011 entrants because Montreal re-enters at the thirteenth hour?

While it would keep the conferences balanced, I'd like to propose another possibility:

The league is worried enough about Portland's ongoing stadium issues that Montreal is now poised to swoop in.

Of course, Montreal can still be added if Portland works out their situation, as the Impact's ownership situation and potential stadium (again, dependant on the government's help) more than meet Major League Soccer's requirements.

It's just a thought. Perhaps Saputo is blowing smoke, perhaps the league really is considering a third team for 2011, or perhaps it won't matter if Quebec doesn't pony up.