MLS notes

USSF grants 10-day deadline extension for women’s league bid.

(Friday, April 21, 2000) -- Major League Soccer has requested and been granted a 10-day extension to submit its plan to the United States Soccer Federation for a Division I professional women’s league.

The USSF deadline for proposals was May 1, but USSF president Bob Contiguglia said he granted MLS the extra time. "They asked me. I said there was no problem," he said.

The Women’s United Soccer Association already has submitted its bid for a league to start play next April. Eight cities were named as likely sites of WUSA franchises with another eight as potential candidates. Also, investors were identified, and an extensive national and local television package was announced.

Furthermore, all 20 members of the U.S. 1999 Women's World Cup champion side said in a written statement that they have signed exclusively with the WUSA and would not play for an MLS league, even if it were to win the USSF sanction. WUSA founder John Hendricks hinted that his league would go forward even if it didn’t get USSF accreditation.

MLS is undeterred. "We're making progress in all areas and look forward to unveiling our plan." commissioner Don Garber said. "Clearly the women's league (under the MLS umbrella) would have independence, a singular focus and separate management, but it would be operated under with the efficiencies of being part of a broader entity. Our belief is that we will present a plan that will be exciting for the many talented female soccer players and that they will want to play for the league that is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation."

A total of four groups met the USSF’s April 1 deadline to state the intention of filing a plan for a women’s league, but the other two entities are believed to have dropped out.

DENVER -- The Colorado Rapids signed forward Matthew Okoh, who starred at the University of Denver before going on to a career which included a spell in the German Bundesliga. He joins the Rapids as a discovery option.

Okoh, 27, las played for Unterhaching of the German Bundesliga. He first tried out for MLS’s D.C. United, but was not signed.

The 6-foot-2 striker fills the roster spot made available by Wednesday’s trade of Kevin Anderson to Tampa Bay in exchange for two draft picks.

The Rapids also called up midfielder Danny DeVall, 27, from the Tennessee Rhythm of the A-League. He will be with the Rapids only for tomorrow’s match against the Columbus Crew since Okoh’s eligibility for that contest has not yet been secured.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Alexi Lalas, who handles the color commentary for San Jose television, will also sing the national anthem tomorrow when the Earthquakes host the Dallas Burn at Spartan Stadium.

Earthquakes defender and captain John Doyle, the only remaining member of the original 1996 San Jose team, needs to play just 11 minutes to reach 10,000 in his career. He will become the 12th MLS player to reach that plateau.

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Diego Serna penalty kick in the 76th minute, gave the Miami Fusion a 2-1 victory over Haiti’s national team before an estimated crowd of 12,000 Wednesday at Lockhart Stadium.

The first meeting between the teams in September was stopped in the 60th minutes when a small group of fans became unruly when disputing a referee’s call that disallowed a Haiti goal.

Senior correspondent Robert Wagman contributed to this report