While often openly addressed and speculated, MLS has finally made Minnesota's joining of the league official, starting in 2017. They'll be joined by Atlanta that year, but they won't be playing in the same conference: Atlanta has been designated to play in the East, while Minnesota will play in the West. As Atlanta approaches this inaugural season, they are seeing some impressive season ticket numbers, breaking the Sounders previous record for most season tickets sold by an expansion team back in 2009.
The Sounders and Timbers clash this weekend, but they converge in a shared regional soccer culture.