New York ? Major League Baseball is moving toward a decision on the future home of the Montreal Expos, and Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia appear to be the leading contenders.

The sport’s relocation committee met for 21/2 hours Wednesday, and baseball chief operating officer Bob DuPuy said the group planned to meet with commissioner Bud Selig within a month.

DuPuy said no areas had been eliminated and that the committee would not rank the cities for Selig. DuPuy hopes for a decision by the All-Star break in mid-July.

Since Washington Mayor Anthony Williams presented a financing plan earlier this month, the capital has been mentioned most in relocation talk, a baseball official involved in the Expos’ situation told the Associated Press.

Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority executive director Gabe Paul Jr. sent a letter to all 30 clubs Wednesday that stated his group has completed funding plans for a ballpark near Dulles International Airport.

If either the District of Columbia or Northern Virginia is awarded the Expos, the team would first move to downtown RFK Stadium, the home of the Washington Senators before the team became the Texas Rangers after the 1971 season.

The Expos, bought by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season, also are being sought by Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk, Va.; Portland, Ore.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All teams will receive an update at today’s owners’ meeting.

Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos has said the Expos should not be relocated to the Washington area, saying it would take away from his team’s market.

“I don’t think there’s any question about that,” he said.