The United States will be the first nation to implement the new goalkeeper-possession rule, which officially takes effect July 1, 2000. In order to avoid a midseason rule change, Major League Soccer and the United Soccer Leagues have been given FIFA permission to begin using the rule immediately. Under the new rule, the goalkeeper has six seconds to put the ball back into play once he takes control of the ball with his hands, regardless of the number of steps that might be taken during this time. “We have always strived to be at the forefront of the sport and to take the initiative when an opportunity to help advance the game is available,” said Esse Baharmast, U.S. Soccer’s Director of Officials. “It is our belief that this rule modification will make the game a little faster and a little more exciting to watch.” The six-second rule was already in effect last year, the change comes with the elimination of the four-step limit. Goalkeepers will now be able to sprint to the edge of the penalty area with the ball. The elimination of the four-step limit may have come about because it was hardly enforced, but is allowing the keeper the ability to zoom around with the ball good or bad? Will forwards be clashing into keepers to slow them down? Will it make much of a difference?