NEW YORK, N. Kyle Long Bears Jersey .Y. - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isnt a labour deal with its referees and other on-field officials. The Professional Soccer Referee Association was certified by the National Labor Relations Board last May to represent referees, assistant referees and fourth officials working MLS games. It has not reached an agreement with the Professional Referee Organization, which was created by the U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS in 2012 to manage game officials in U.S. and Canadian professional leagues. The PSRA has filed a pair of unfair labour practice charges with the NLRBs New York office, accusing the PRO of bad-faith bargaining and making threats against PSRA members. PSRA members voted 64-1 last month to authorize an unfair labour practice strike. "We will be opening up this weekend with referees, and we are absolutely in a position to have a contingency plan in the event that those discussions dont end positively," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Tuesday. "We have so many things that were gearing up for with our 2014 season. Nothing is going to stop us from having a strong opening and to continue to grow this league." PSRA chairman Steve Taylor said there are economic and non-economic issues. "They have not made significant movement," he said of the PRO. Answering questions from reporters and fans during a season kickoff session, Garber said increasing the leagues television ratings is a priority. Viewers for national television broadcasts during the regular season dropped from an average of 180,000 viewers in 2012 to 170,000 last year, according to Nielsen Media Research. MLS has been negotiating with ESPN and Fox to replace deals with ESPN and NBC that expire at the end of this season. Garber said while quality of play, attendance, soccer-specific stadiums have increased, "our national television ratings have not grown at the same level." "So we need to figure out why thats happening. Obviously, theres a lot more competition than there ever was. Viewers have more alternatives. We need not to fight that but accept it and address it," he said. "Our games have been scheduled all over the week. Its been difficult even if you work in the league office to know what time and what day a game is taking place. So our new agreements will be very, very, very focused in terms of a specific date and time." Garber said progress has slowed on obtaining a new stadium for New York City FC, which joins the league along with Orlando, Fla., in 2015 as MLS expands to 21 teams. "Its tough to get stadium projects done in New York City, perhaps even a little more difficult now than it was maybe six months or a year ago," he said. MLS said in July it plans to reach 24 teams by 2020, and a Miami team has been awarded to former Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham, with no year identified for it to start play. Garber briefly discussed the expansion possibilities of several cities: Atlanta: "Were getting close. There are ongoing discussions. Theres not a rush to finalize something there. ... That time is probably sooner as opposed to later." Austin, Texas, and San Antonio: "Its premature for both markets. ... Expanding in Texas is something thats likely going to happen. Where that happens, when that happens is still to be seen." Cleveland: "There havent been any discussions of late. What I would say to folks that are living in Cincinnati, the folks that are living in Dayton, folks that are living Cleveland, support the Crew," a reference to the Columbus team. Detroit: "There havent been any discussions. Not sure its on the short list, but you never know." Minneapolis: "On the short list. Lots of interest there." North Carolina: "It is a hotbed for soccer. ... Well monitor it. ... Im not sure Carolina is coming any time soon." He also mentioned Sacramento as an expansion possibility. Johnny Knox Bears Jersey .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Lamarr Houston Bears Jersey . - Canadiens forward Dale Weise says he never revealed exactly what was said by Bostons Milan Lucic during a post-game handshake after Montreal eliminated the Bruins from the NHL playoffs this week.PORTLAND, Ore. -- Nicolas Batum had 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers routed Atlanta 102-78, a loss that marked the end of Hawks guard Kyle Korvers NBA-record streak of 127 games with a 3-pointer. Korver had surpassed Dana Barros record of 89 straight, set from 1994-96, earlier this season. He was 0 for 5 from 3-point range against the Blazers. Portland, which led by as many as 29 points, has won six of its last seven games while keeping pace as one of the teams battling for the top four seeds in the West. The Hawks have lost four straight and 12 of their last 13 as they fight to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Batum has had at least 11 rebounds in his last three games, and he has seven double-doubles this season. Mo Williams added 15 points off the bench for Portland, which had six players in double figures. Cartier Martin had 16 points off the bench for Atlanta. Portland is coming off a 107-106 loss to the Lakers on Monday that snapped a five-game winning streak. All-Star Damian Lillard started for the Blazers despite missing practice because of a stomach bug, but the Blazers were still without forward Thomas Robinson, who has a sore left knee. Portland also was without forward Joel Freeland because of a right knee injury. All-Star forward Paul Millsap missed his fifth straight game for the Hawks because of a right knee contusion. His absence hurts Attlanta, which is already without big men Al Horford and Gustavo Ayon for the season. Matt Forte Bears Jersey. Lillards 3-pointer put the Blazers up 20-17 in the first quarter. Dorell Wright made a 3-pointer and two of three free throws to give the Blazers a 29-19 lead going into the second. Portland pushed the lead to 42-28 on Wesley Matthews 3-pointer midway thought the second quarter. Batum made it 51-33 with a 3-pointer late in the half, and the Blazers went to the break with a 56-38 advantage. The Hawks struggled in the first half, shooting just 25 per cent (11 of 44) from the floor for their lowest first-half percentage of the season. Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge was also having a tough start, going 0 for 6 from the floor with three rebounds. The three-time All-Star went into the game averaging 23.7 points and 11.2 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridges jumper -- his first basket from the field -- put the Blazers up 68-46 in the third quarter. He finished with 12 points. Will Bartons 3-pointer pushed Portlands lead to 87-60 in the second half and the Hawks could never catch up. NOTES: It was the first of two meetings between the teams this season. .... The two have split the last two regular-season series 1-1. ... Following Wednesday nights game, the Blazers embark on a five-game road trip. ... Oregon Ducks coach Dana Altman was among the fans at the game. Altman coached Korver at Creighton before heading to Eugene. ' ' '
