We've heard the complaints all week, and rather all year, about the congested MLS schedule. Today in his blog, MLS Commissioner Don Garber addressed that very issue. He like many of us were upset to see a showcase game last week with LA and Chicago lose its luster over the amount of players called into [. Click to continue reading...

Game Breakers: The Stars of Major League Soccer was released yesterday for your viewing pleasure. It's available from Amazon.com, A&E.com, and a slew of other places, so go buy it. Or if you fancy your chances, I've got a copy to give away to the first person to email the correct answer to the random, obscure question following question to TheOffsideRules [at] gmail. Click to continue reading...

We received this enlightening press release from the Borough Boys detailing some behind-the-scenes NYC (or NY2 if you prefer) expansion stuff. We happily pass it on to you and wish them and all New Yorkers the best of luck in getting a team.

For Immediate Release Contact: Nick Laveglia

August 13, 2008 (516) 510-2283





BOROUGH BOYS WILL BRIEF THE PRESS ON

DEVELOPMENTS ON MLS2NYC PROJECT



-- In a few short months, the Borough Boys have rallied City Hall, investors, key local politicians and the league to build a stadium and bring a team to Queens --



Since the inception of the Borough Boys Governing Board in January, we have made great strides to get a Major League Soccer team for New York City.

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Shorter Don Garber blog entry (http://web.mlsnet.com/commissionerspeaks/) for today: ---Quote... Click to continue reading...

More details about what was discussed by the MLS Board of governors at the All Star Game, continue to emerge. In a sign of the continued growth and viability of the league,
MLS bosses considered raising expansion fees to $50 Million. A 400 percent increase from when Toronto FC joined the league for a mere $10 Million. Click to continue reading...

Today's big story seems to be how New England and Houston players are handling the prize money to tomorrow's SuperLiga final. Well, MLS Commissioner Don Garber spoke out against the players in their efforts to pool the winnings from tomorrow's final. "That's not something that is permitted in the CBA [collective bargaining agreement], it's not something [. Click to continue reading...

The MLS Player's Union has announced that the New England Revolution and Houston Dynamo will split the winning and second-place purses for the SuperLiga final (set for Tuesday at Gillette Stadium) in a show of solidarity.

"The players have made this decision to show their solidarity and in protest of the league's violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with respect to the negotiation of bonuses for this tournament.

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Back in May we brought you the story about this. Since then there was a protest at the All Star Game. Nevertheless the plans may still be moving forward against MLSE, and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber's wishes
Get the Google Audio Widget widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Click to continue reading...

You probably have seen the reports Thursday about Blanco being fined. Indeed the other boot has fallen on the Blanco saga.

Way back on July 14, when someone from Chi-town tipped us off that the suspension and fine for Blanco was going to be large, many poo-pooed us, saying that someone was likely playing a joke on us. Click to continue reading...

MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced today that two more teams will be added by 2011, bringing the number in the league up to 18.

Ownership groups and/or markets have until Oct. 15 to apply. MLS will make a decision on the chosen pair in either the last quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2009.

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Start digging for loose change, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced the timeline and application process for the League's next two expansion teams.

Garber confirmed that the league intends to add two clubs by 2011, bringing the total to a respectable 18 teams.

As we know, the league is looking for prospects in both the US and Canada. Click to continue reading...

When Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber launched his MLSNet.com blog "The Commissioner Speaks" back on April 18th, he wrote that he hoped to blog every other Friday "(depending on travel schedule, etc.)." He was pretty good about it at first, posting on April 18th and 25th, two weeks after that on May 9th, another fortnight later [. Click to continue reading...

After Don Garber announced the league would be expanding by two more teams in 2011, the discussion raged over which cities would get to have one of the two expansion teams. So far, we are no closer to knowing that answer, but we all have our own opinions. My goal is to [...] Click to continue reading...

With Don Garber and MLS now ready to expand by two more teams for the 2011 season, the debate is on.  Many Americans would favor expansion right here in America, but there is also a compelling case for expansion into Canada.  MLS just yesterday held a successful All Star game in Toronto, and the support [. Click to continue reading...

Just a quick note that you should check out SnagFilms. It's a website where you can watch movies from the interweb without fear of FCC prosecution. Of the hundreds of documentaries and films available is "Kickin It", a film about the Homeless World Cup that is apparently a big favorite of Don Garber. Click to continue reading...

This just fell into our inbox:

"I have it on good authority that Chad Barrett has been traded to Toronto FC along with another player to Toronto for rights to sign Brian McBride. The deal may also involve another player, possibly (Calen) Carr"


Commissioner Don Garber stated at halftime during the MLS All Star game that a deal with Toronto was brokered and would be announced Friday. Click to continue reading...

Just a quick note, MLS Commissioner Don Garber just announced at the MLS All-Star game halftime show that we will know tomorrow where Brian McBride is playing this year in the league. He said a deal was worked out today between Chicago and Toronto and it will be announced tomorrow. Sounds like either one of the [. Click to continue reading...

Just when all the turmoil surrounding Brian Mcbride had settled down, commissioner Don Garber told Rob Stone of ESPN that a solution regarding Mcbride had been reached.  He said the announcement will come tomorrow.  We are not sure what the agreement is, but we will find out the details tomorrow. Click to continue reading...

This week's show is now up as a podcast. You can listen to the show from here, via the On Demand player, or you can subscribe to the show via iTunes.

Plenty to talk about on this week's show.
* I give my thoughts on this week's five questions of the week.

* I breakdown a weekend of draws in MLS.

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Yup, just when we thought they were taking it slow. The league issued this press release today about expansion to two more cities in the next few years. TORONTO Major League Soccer Board of Governors approved expanding by two teams by 2011, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced following Thursday's Board of Governors meeting in Toronto. Click to continue reading...

Press Release:

TORONTO -- Major League Soccer Board of Governors approved expanding by two teams by 2011, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced following Thursday's Board of Governors meeting in Toronto.

At the meeting, Commissioner Garber provided updates on prospective expansion markets throughout the U.

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According to a Canadian radio station report spotted by Unprofessional Foul, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber is expected to raise the ceiling of teams in the league from 18 to 20-24.

This obviously speaks to the success of the league. Heck we haven't even seen the last two expansion teams (Seattle and Philly) take the field yet and they're already talking more. Click to continue reading...

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We were cent the following Press Release early this morning:

Portlanders Launch Grassroots Effort to Bring Major League Soccer to the Rose City
New website features essay contest with $111 cash prize

PORTLAND, July 24th 2008 – On the eve of the 2008 Major League Soccer Allstar Game, a loosely assembled group of Portland residents, writers and sports fans today launched MLStoPDX.

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This is in response to the editorial below. We at MLSR are not of uniform opinion on this and this writer strongly disagrees. Here is why.

Today MLS Commissioner Don Garber is expected to announce a firm expansion plan which would include 20-24 clubs.

The question is this: Once MLS has 24 clubs what does it do with the other investors who might want in? Click to continue reading...