PORTLAND, Ore. -- City Council voted 4-1 on Wednesday to de-link Major League Soccer soccer and minor league baseball negotiations.

The Major League Soccer plans will now go forward apart from the ongoing saga of where Portland's minor league baseball team will play, if and when pro soccer comes to town.

 Details: Strike 2 for new baseball stadium

KGW-TV

PGE Park in Northwest Portland

City leaders met with Merritt Paulson, owner of the Portland Timbers and Beavers baseball team, to discuss how the downtown-area park’s makeover will be financed.

The lone dissent on decoupling baseball and soccer negotiations came from Commissioner Amanda Fritz.

After the meeting Paulson said he was pleased that city leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to a professional franchise for the Portland Timbers.

Part of the agreement with Major League Soccer to get a pro franchise in Portland stipulates that the Timbers have a soccer-only venue in which to play.

Currently, the Timbers and Beavers share PGE Park.

Commissioner Randy Leonard has publicly said he will support financing a PGE Park upgrade for the Timbers.