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Message: [QUOTE="DarthGrumpy, post: 3131455, member: 2141"] Busy day in US soccer news... First,a bit of good news. MLS is finally joining the rest fo the world in allowing solidarity payments. I have my doubts; but, I do hope that some of this money is seen by the youth programs at the bottom as the 'pay to play' format is a critical issue. Now, maybe a relegation structure will be next (LOL)... [URL='http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3829402/mls-clubs-to-receive-solidarity-payments-after-league-agrees-to-follow-fifa-rule']MLS clubs to begin receiving solidarity payments[/URL] Speaking of relegation, the pause in MLS expansion plans lasted, what, a few months? MLS has officially announced that they are looking to add Sacramento and St Louis as teams #28 and #29. Both cities deserve it; but, MLS ownership has become addicted to the $200 Million franchise fee (or more) and I can see the league at 35 to 40 teams within the next 10 years, which is insane unless relegation is put in place. [URL='http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3829417/mls-announces-expansion-plans-to-30-teams-fee-will-be-200-million-dollars']MLS to expand to 30, eyes St. Louis, Sacramento[/URL] Speaking of money, USSF is facing a suit by USMNT Player's Union (USNSTPA) hosting its final pre-Gold Cup warm-up match in May against Venezuela at (U of) Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium on a temporary grass pitched laid over an artificial turf field is unsafe and risky for every player's career. Remember how the field looked in Dallas and Phoenix recently? I can't blame the players as they are risking their careers, especially the USMNT players who are expected to be in camp for the Gold Cup who are making serious Money now in Europe. The Union claims that USSF only cares about making money. That's like accusing me of being addicted to ice cream or breathing. [URL='http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3828899/players-union-opposes-us-friendly-in-cincinnati-over-playing-surface']Players union opposes U.S. friendly in Cincinnati[/URL] [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach