Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isn't a labor 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 labor practice charges with the NLRB's New York office, accusing the PRO of bad-faith bargaining and making threats against PSRA members. More...