The A-League has adopted a new point system for the 1999 season, adding a bonus point for teams that score three goals, win or lose, in regulation or overtime. The USISL competition committee adopted a 4-2-1+1 system: four points for a win in regulation or overtime, two for a win in a shootout, one for a loss in a shootout and the bonus point. “We felt the best way to encourage attacking soccer was to award teams for scoring goals and make regulation or overtime wins more valuable,” said A-League commissioner Francisco Marcos. Previously, teams received three points for a win in regulation or overtime, two for a win in a shootout and one for a loss in a shootout. “There were two key points that I personally like about this new system,” said Milwaukee coach Bob Gansler, “and those are: first, the bonus point for scoring three or more goals. This tries to encourage attacking play and sends a clear message of what we are trying to accomplish. Secondly, to go to a shootout and come away with nothing can be heartbreaking. For every team that plays to reach a shootout, there are 10 other teams who play their heart out and truly deserve some type of award.” The USISL also adopted a change in the double-yellow card rule. No longer will a player face a mandatory one-game suspension. The points for the cards, however, will accumulate and a player with 21 points must sit out one game. The A-League also added the D3 Pro League’s Indiana Blast. The Montreal Impact, as expected, pulled out of the A-League to play an independent schedule of exhibitions in ’99. A total of 30 teams, up two from ’98, will participate. Montreal and California are the only teams not back. The ’99 season will kick off the third weekend of April and end Labor Day weekend. The playoffs will conclude Oct. 16 at the home venue of one of the finalists.