glove-side for his seventh of the season and first in 12 g

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. Tony Gwynn Jersey . "He came up to me and said, I want to train," said Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen. The 26-year-old midfielder is expected to play Saturday night when Toronto hosts D.C. United, returning to his Major League Soccer squad with mixed feelings about the Americans World Cup run -- sad that it ended when it did but proud of his teams performance. Wil Myers Jersey . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs Friday at 8 p.m. ET on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. http://www.padressale.com/padres-rollie-fingers-jersey/ .Y. -- A month ago, Syracuse was unbeaten, ranked No. San Diego Padres Jerseys . Griffin scored 13 of his 31 points in the final 7:05 and Dudley got 11 of his 20 points in the third quarter, leading the defending Pacific Division champions to a 112-85 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. "Dud is a shooter. Ozzie Smith Jersey . Hollis-Jefferson went 5-for-6 from the field and added six rebounds, while Stanley Jefferson contributed 14 points for the Wildcats, who used their trademark tough defense to dominate the games final 24 minutes and advance to Tuesdays winners bracket matchup with Kansas State. TORONTO -- Phil Kessel was his usual subdued self in a rare post-game scrum following a four point night Saturday. Kessel scored a hat trick, including the game winner, and set up Tyler Bozak as Toronto doubled up the Ottawa Senators 6-3. "It was a big win for us obviously and the fans were good and we found a way," said Kessel, who last had a four point night in Edmonton on Oct. 29. "Ive had chances in a couple games before and obviously they went in tonight." As for how he plans on celebrating his second hat trick of the season, Kessel said, "Go home and hang out." Bozak, who also shares an apartment in Toronto with Kessel, was shocked to see the forward talking to the media post-game. "Its pretty funny, surprised he talked to you guys today. Mustve had a good night I guess," joked Bozak. "Hes always played well since hes been here. Hes always put up points and done great things for our team, but Ive been starting to get some points now with him and thats been fun." Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul had the other goals for the Leafs (30-21-6), who have won six straight at Air Canada Centre - their longest stretch since winning 10 in a row to conclude the 2006-07 season. Chris Neil scored twice and set up Colin Greening for the Senators (24-21-10), who have lost all three meetings between the Ontario rivals. It was Neils second career three-point game with his last one coming April 6, 2010 against Florida. Craig Anderson made 30 saves for Ottawa while Jonathan Bernier made 23 saves for the Leafs in the win. Bozak fed Kessel in front at 14:01 of the third period for his third goal of the night and 30th of the season to give the Leafs a 4-3 lead. The goal leaves Kessel alone in second among NHL goal scorers. Kessels first hat trick of the season came Oct. 22 against the Anaheim Ducks. "His skating always stands out and his shot on the second goal," said Lupul of Kessels play. "But you know when hes really playing well cause of how hes competing on pucks down low in the offensive end, turning his back, protecting the puck. Hes been doing that for a while now." Bozak then added an insurance marker at 18:27, one timing a Kessel feed past Anderson for his 11th of the season. Kadri added an empty netter with 28 seconds remaining. Kessel gave Toronto its first lead of the game at 7:34 of the third period on a power play, beating Anderson top corner with a wrist shot from the top of the face-off circle for his 29th of the season. Cody Franson picked up his 100th career assist on the goal. "I think with Phil, hes been classified as this one type of player and we think that hes got more of an all-round ability too," said Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. "He can distribute the puck, he can pass the puck and he can find people. He can do a lot more things than just shoot." Torontos lead was short-lived as less than two minutes later, Neil tied it 3-3 at 9:06 jamming home a loose puck. The play was reviewed before it was determined the puck just inched over the goal line for Neils eighth of the season. Ottawa had a 2-0 lead midway through the second period and had an excellent chance take a three-goal lead near the 11 minute mark as Erik Karlsson beat Beernier with a shot glove-side, but hit the post.dddddddddddd "I felt we played hard. We gave up some chances in the second, but I thought we settled it down there in the third and got back after them," said Neil, who snapped a 12-game goalless drought in the loss. "I dont think its a 6-3 hockey game, thats for sure. It was pretty close back and forth." Toronto cut Ottawas lead in half two minutes later as Kessel put home a James van Riemsdyk feed. The Leafs completed the comeback at 14:39 of the middle frame on a questionable play. Kadri hit Senators defenceman Cody Ceci from behind and then centred the loose puck to Lupul for his 17th. Despite the Ottawa protest and the referees discussing amongst themselves, there was no penalty on the play. "He was actually looking up, looking up ice I think from what I remember when I was kind of engaging him," said Kadri. "I think he turned to just give himself a little more room at that point Im just fully committed to the hit and I just finished my check. "To be honest, I did let up a little bit and the puck was laying there and I just put it in front." Added Ceci: "I just kind of showed my back a bit hoping hed slow up and ended up face first in the boards and then they scored right on the play. It was a tough play, tough play for me. It was unfortunate I didnt get a call on the play and they ended up tying the game with that." As for the non-call, Ceci said he was surprised. "I guess I couldve stayed down a little longer," he said. "But I just tried to get up as fast as I could to continue to play, and they end up scoring right after that. I just had to skate off and just kind of shocked that nothing came of it." Ottawa took a 2-0 lead at 6:46 of the middle frame as Greening finished off a 2-on-1 feed from Neil for his fifth of the season. Toronto had back-to-back first period power play opportunities courtesy of consecutive Cory Conacher minor penalties, but had just two shots to show for it. Neil opened the scoring at 19:07 of the first using Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly as a screen and beating Bernier glove-side for his seventh of the season and first in 12 games. Ottawa continues its three-game road trip Monday in Pittsburgh before concluding it in St. Louis on Tuesday. Toronto heads out on its final road trip prior to the Olympic break visiting Florida on Tuesday and Tampa Bay on Thursday. Notes: Leafs forward Carter Ashton missed Saturdays game with a hand injury. a Peter Holland sat out his first game with what Toronto coach Randy Carlyle called a lace bite. a Torontos Frazer McLaren, who missed eight games with a shoulder injury, returned to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 14. a Senators forward Cory Conacher played in his 100th career NHL game Saturday. a Ottawa defenceman, Chris Phillips missed his third straight game with a lower body injury. a Referee Paul Devorski became the fifth official to ever work his 1,500th NHL game Saturday night. Leafs forward Greg McKegg made his NHL debut in the win. a Carlyle said forward Trevor Smith (hand), who sustained another injury in the weight room earlier this week, will not travel on the upcoming road trip to Florida. ' ' '