Mark Nester Hoboken, N.J. Why were the MetroStars allowed four substitutions during the Colorado game Aug. 20? Russell Payne was brought on for Tim Howard after the Metros had already used their allotted subs to remove Mathis, Matthaeus and Ramos. Mike Woitalla: Good question Mark, because MLSÆs substitution rule differs with FIFAÆs. HereÆs MLSÆs sub rule: ôA maximum of three substitutions, plus a substitution at goalkeeper, may be used. If an MLS team substitutes its keeper during a match, he shall not count as one of the three allowed field player substitutes.ö (Payne came in for Howard in the MetroStars’ goal.) FIFAÆs rulebook allows for a total of three subs, with no special provision for goalkeepers. FIFA did have a two-plus-one (goalkeeper) substitute rule briefly, but when it upped the total of allowed subs to three in 1995, it limited the amount to that number regardless of whether one is a keeper. IÆm looking into why MLS decided to use a different limit. (If you have a question for a Soccer America Magazine editor, click “Q&A with SA Editors” in the left column of the home page under “Interactive.”)