CSN West

Something I overlooked over the past month was that PGE Park in Portland, OR will be going through some major renovations as the city is looking to get a Major League Soccer team in 2011. That is the good news also for the Portland State Vikings that share this stadium with the soccer club. The renovations are to bring the stadium up to date in terms of seating areas (which before was made for baseball), as well as many other updates. See the link below for the updates to the stadium.

http://www.portlandmls2011.com/stadi...rk-renovation/



The bad news for Viking fans and new VIking head coach Nigel Burton is that the renovations this year will result in PSU playing away from PGE Park. Instead, the VIkings will play at the 8000 seat facility of Hillsboro Stadium in nearby Hillsboro, Oregon--about 12 miles from the PSU campus.

Here is some info on this stadium and a photo:



http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Parksr...llsboroStadium

The surprising part, PSU played at the site of Hillsboro Stadium exactly 10 years ago in 2000 and gained the Vikings the lone FCS playoff appearance in their history. Will history repeat itself? Well, it will be tough. The Vikings will play just four games at their temporary venue and will play two BCS teams in Oregon and Arizona State, along with improving UC Davis on the road to go with their Big Sky slate.

Here is their schedule that was just announced:
Sept. 4, @ Arizona State
Sept. 11, @ UC Davis
Sept. 18, @ Oregon
Sept. 25, Open
Oct. 2, IDAHO STATE
Oct. 9, @ Montana State
Oct. 16, MONTANA
Oct. 23, @ Weber State
Oct. 30, EASTERN WASHINGTON
Nov. 6, @ Sacramento State
Nov. 13, NORTHERN COLORADO
Nov. 20, @ Northern Arizona


Well, we'll see if the change of head coaches and venues improve the VIkings fortunes. Remember in Coach Jerry Glanville's last year, PSU finished just 2-9--the worst record for the Vikings in 27 years.

Here's to PSU to get a turnaround in Coach Burton's first season in Oregon's largest city.