MLS Commissioner Don Garber says the league is not performing as hoped financially and its franchises are combining to lose more than $100 million annually.Garber attributed losses to player acquisitions, stadiums and spending on league infrastructure. The update about the leagues finances came with the MLS and its players union beginning negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.I can say without doubt that our owners did not expect that by this time wed still be needing to invest the level of money that we have been investing, and thats just the reality of where our business is today, Garber said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press.Garber covered a range of topics during a State of the League event Tuesday and later expanded when talking with the AP. The labour contract with players expires at the end of Jan. 31 and the sides needed assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in 2010, when they reached an agreement five days before the season opener.Garber was optimistic a deal will be reached before would be reached before the 2015 season is scheduled to start in early March.You go into these discussions with an open mind and a desire to reach an agreement, and be as open as can, and be as transparent as can be, Garber said.Garber also told the AP he has communicated a number of times with U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann since the pair had a public spat in October. Garber criticized Klinsmann for not taking Landon Donovan to the World Cup and for saying Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley damaged their careers by returning to MLS from European clubs.This debate, which is open and transparent, is positive for the sport, Garber said. People care. We care about growing MLS and contributing to the growth of the U.S. and Canadian national teams. He cares about the U.S. being a more powerful competitive force in international competition. And as I think (U.S. Soccer Federation president) Sunil Gulati said, were not going to agree on everything and thats OK because we have a very strong foundation to our relationship both personally with Jurgen and Sunil and me and more importantly corporately between the league and the federations.Other issues Garber spoke on:EXPANSION: The league expands to 20 teams next season with the addition of Orlando City and New York City FC and the folding of Chivas USA. Los Angeles FC and Atlanta join in 2017 and a franchise has been promised to David Beckhams group in Miami.Beckhams Miami franchise remains uncertain.If they dont have the right stadium we wont go there, Garber said. Until they get it finalized we cant make the commitment to go to Miami.Garber has said MLS will expand to 24 teams before the end of the decade, and his expansion committee is to speak with owners this weekend regarding overtures from Minneapolis, Sacramento and Las Vegas. A decision could be made within the first six months of 2015 on which city will be the next expansion market.PLAYOFF STRUCTURE: Garber hinted that expanding the playoffs by two teams to 12 — six from each conference — could be announced by this weekend. League staff has recommended the move to owners. Garber said the away-goal rule as a tiebreaker in two-leg playoffs will remain.STADIUMS: Garber remains hopeful D.C. United, New England and New York City FC will find soccer stadium solutions. NYCFC will play at Yankee Stadium as a temporary home, while D.C. Uniteds stadium proposal has passed a first vote by the D.C. Council.I hope that puts us in position for the Northeast to be its own rivalry that could replicate the Cascadia rivalry that is so important in the Northwest, Garber said.REPLACING STARS: The league is losing stars Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan at the end of the season. Henry announced hes leaving the New York Red Bulls while Donovan will retire after Sundays MLS Cup final against New England.The league planned to honour Donovan this weekend but put that off until the MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia on Jan. 15.Garber says the loss of two of the biggest names in the league should be lessened by the arrivals of Kaka, David Villa and Frank Lampard next season.Were not relying on one or two players. It no longer is Thats the league David Beckham is in. Its now the league that Obafemi Martins is in and the league Bradley Wright-Phillips is in and the league that DeAndre Yedlin is in, Garber said. 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Brooks replaces right-hander Yordano Ventura, who left his last outing with a sore elbow. Ventura is expected to miss one start. Brooks has made one relief appearance for the Royals this season, allowing six runs in two innings in a May 3 loss to Detroit.With just three weeks remaining in the NFL season, many teams are facing must-win situations to stay alive in the race for January football, while others have eyes on the first-overall pick. This Sunday, four teams have a chance to clinch playoff spots and Johnny Manziels Browns are facing a key matchup against the Bengals in the rookies first start. Manziel makes first start in must-win matchup The AFC North has emerged as the NFLs most competitive division – and only division with every team above .500. However, the Browns have dropped two straight games and are rapidly falling out of the playoff picture. Hoyer threw seven interceptions to zero touchdowns in his last three starts. He was replaced by Manziel in Week 13 before starting again last Sunday. To save their dwindling post-season hopes, and above .500 record, the Browns are turning to electrifying rookie Johnny Manziel at quarterback. The Browns, at 7-6, are desperate for a win and if Manziel cant deliver one, their playoff drought will be almost certain to continue. If the Bengals can leave Cleveland with a win, Cincinnati will stay atop the AFC North. A loss would open the door for the Steelers and Ravens to take the division lead. Ravens, Steelers look to keep pace in AFC North against sub-.500 teams The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers each sit a half game behind the Bengals in the AFC North, with the Steelers currently owning one of two AFC Wild Card spots. The Ravens play host to host to the 2-11 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, a favourable matchup for the team especially considering the Jaguars put leading rusher Denard Robinson on IR this week. The Jaguars defence features a strong pass rush, but is also one that is susceptible to big plays against; having allowed 48 completions of 20 yards or more this season. With games against the Texans (7-6) and Browns remaining on the schedule, the Ravens need a win against the lowly Jaguars. If the Bengals and Steelers win their next two games, the two will meet in Pittsburgh to decide the division crown in Week 17. The Steelers face a tougher matchup in the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons. Despite their 5-8 record, the Falcons remain directly in the hunt to host a playoff game in January as a division winner. Coming off a narrow loss to the Green Bay Packers, in which they battled back with 30 second-half points, the Falcons will present a challenge to the Steelers. Pittsburgh has the playoff- hopeful Chiefs (7-6) and rival Bengals remaining on the schedule. Patriots, Broncos, Colts can punch playoff tickets with wins By the time Sunday night comes around, half of the six AFC playoff spots could be secured. Familiar Territory The Colts, Patriots and Broncos all won their respective divisions last season. The New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts can all guarantee a return to the playoffs with wins against division foes this weekend. All three teams can clinch not just a playoff spot, but their respective divisions and at least one home game with a win. The Patriots are at home to the Miami Dolphins, while the Colts host the Houston Texans. The Broncos travel to play the San Diego Chargers. Panthers forced to turn Anderson to keep faint playoff hopes alive The Carolina Panthers are coming off their most convincing win since Week 2 against the Detroit Lions after routing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. With the win, the Pantherss jumped back into the playoff race, and were just another loss by the Saints away from controlling their own destiny.dddddddddddd Anderson is making his second start in a season for the first time since 2010, when he was with the Arizona Cardinals. Yet, all the confidence the Panthers had mustered ahead of hosting the struggling Buccaneers came to a sudden halt on Tuesday when Cam Newton was involved in a car accident that caused the quarterback to suffer two back fractures. Newton, coming off his first three touchdown game of the season, will miss Sundays game due to the injury and backup Derek Anderson will start in his place. Anderson started the first game of the season for the Panthers – coincidentally against the Buccaneers - as Newton was sidelined by injuries. In his lone start, Anderson led the Panthers to a win and posted a 108.7 quarterback rating, a mark Newton topped for the first time this season against the Saints. First place in the NFC East on the line as Cowboys, Eagles meet again The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles met just two weeks ago on Thanksgiving Day in America and the Eagles appeared to be the far superior team with a 33-10 victory. The Eagles were held to 139 yards of total offence against the Seahawks, the lowest mark ever for a Chip Kelly-led team at the college or pro level. The Cowboys rebounded from the loss with a convincing win over the Chicago Bears, while the Eagles saw their offence completely shut down by the Seattle Seahawks. Now, with the Cowboys entering on 10 days rest – as opposed to three the last time around – the game figures to much more competitive, if not completely opposite. This game should prove to be much more important for Dallas than the Eagles, who have the Giants and Redskins remaining on the schedule. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have an intimidating date with the Colts looming in Week 16. Notes Facing the Rush Led by Mario Williams, Marcel Dareus and Jerry Hughes (pictured), the Buffalo Wild Things have an NFL-high 48 sacks this season. The Green Bay Packers can clinch a playoff berth this weekend with a win over the Buffalo Bills and a Dallas Cowboys loss, along with clinching strength of victory tiebreaker over the Cowboys. However, after facing an almost non-existent pass rush against the Atlanta Falcons, the Packers offensive line will have their hands full against the Bills top-ranked pass rush. The Packers O-line has allowed 27 sacks this season, but just six over the past four games. Opposite Directions The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers met in Week 13 as 7-4 teams with realistic playoff aspirations. The Seahawks won that first meeting handedly - 19-3 - shutting down the 49ers offence in the process. After dropping their contest against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14, the 49ers now sit well outside the playoff picture and loss this week could eliminate them January football for the first time since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach in 2011. Pick Race Jake Locker will make his first start since Oct. 5 on Sunday, replacing the injured Zach Mettenberger. The New York Jets and Tennessee Titans both sit tied for last in the NFL at 2-11, a win for either club could eliminate them from the first-overall pick sweepstakes. A win this week could be costly in April. The current draft order for the top five picks is as follows: 1. Buccaneers 2. Titans 3. Jaguars 4. Jets 5. Raiders ' ' '