Major League Soccer is going to examine a change in its rules to avoid the schedule conflicts that have lead to several clubs missing key players for games this weekend because of international duty, reports Dean McNulty.
He quotes “sources inside the MLS office in New York” as saying that the league’s competition committee meeting, scheduled for later this month, has adjusted its agenda “to sort out how to keep such international matches from disrupting games again next season.” Indeed the source said it will be “the number one item on the agenda.”
Toronto FC, missing nine senior players for its home tie with Chivas USA this weekend, asked the league’s Deputy Commissioner, Ivan Gazidis, for permission to postpone the game. Gazidis turned down the request, citing conflicts with TV contracts, and told a conference call Thursday: “Toronto was part of the process when we made up this schedule. We have a 34-game calendar with 35 weekends. There is no room this season.”