NEW YORK, N.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. Swingman Steven Adams Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Swingman Mitch McGary Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. http://www.thunderofficialshop.us/enes-kanter-thunder-jersey/ . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. Swingman Cameron Payne Jersey . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. Gary Payton Thunder Jersey . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club.PEORIA, Ariz. -- Taijuan Walkers ascension to a spot in the Seattle Mariners rotation is on hold. The Mariners shut down their top pitching prospect for at least one week on Friday after exams revealed inflammation in the bursa of his right shoulder. Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said the decision was made after Walker flew to Los Angeles to get a second opinion on the sore shoulder that has limited him during spring training. "It definitely (stinks)," Walker said. "I feel good about the situation. Id rather not push it and fight through something and make it worse. Im just going to take the time off, get healthy and move on." Walker was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache at the Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles on Thursday. He confirmed the original diagnosis of the Mariners medical staff in Arizona. For now it appears to be a minor setback and something many pitchers experience at one time. But Walker was being counted on by Seattle to be at the back end of its rotation and answer at least one question behind ace Felix Hernandez and American League Cy Young finalist Hisashi Iwakuma. Even Iwakumas status is a bit of an unknown as he has yet to throw because of a finger injury. Iwakuma was having his finger re-examined later Friday. The entire starting staff is in flux aside from Hernandez. "(A) lot of opportunities and we have a lot of big arms to hopefully take advantage of those opportunities," McClendon said. "Well see what happens. I just hope they dont all eliminate themselves. Then we have a problem." Walker is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. The 21-year-old has quickly risen through the Seattle farm system and his major league debut at the end of last season only heightened expectations about what he could bring to the Mariners rotation in the future. Walker made three starts last September with a 1-0 record and 3.60 ERA. Walker showed up for camp with a sore throwing shhoulder and had been limited to throwing off flat ground so far.dddddddddddd He had long toss throwing sessions on back-to-back days earlier this week, leading to the hope of a bullpen session, but that has now been altered. Walker said he could feel the discomfort in his shoulder when he threw but didnt consider it painful, but rather more nagging. "This guy, were not just talking about 2014, were hopefully talking about the next 15 years," McClendon said. "We have to be cautious and we have to be smart." Walker is taking anti-inflammatory medication along with giving his arm a rest in the hope the inflammation will clear up. He said the visit to Los Angeles was reassuring, as was word that his MRI exams were clear and showed no structural damage. "Honestly, Im just going to try and take it day by day, see how I feel each day and not worry about the start of the season, just worry about getting ready first, getting healthy first," Walker said. "I dont want to get too ahead of myself and push anything." Walkers wont be going back to the beginning of his program but it could be difficult to have him ready by opening day due to the week of rest. If he follows the plans of Seattles other starters, Walker would start with flat-ground throwing, followed by three bullpens and two sessions of throwing live batting practice before possibly throwing a simulated game. Thats a best-case scenario and only works if he doesnt experience any discomfort in the shoulder through the process before finally getting into an actual game setting. "As far as the actual amount of time, its hard to say that because we still have to go the day-to-day thing, but we want to have a plan for him so he can look down and in his mind know where he is at and where he is going to be," Seattle head athletic trainer Rick Griffin said. "But the biggest thing is it has to be progression, day-to-day and pain free." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '