Only the referee has “full authority to enforce the laws of the game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed” and his decisions are final. The referee is assisted by two assistant referees.

The playing field or pitch usually ranges 100-110 m (110-120 yards) in length and ranges 65-75 m (70-80 yards) in width. The front of each goal, an area known as the penalty area, is marked by the goal-line, two lines beginning on the goal-line 18 yards (16.5 m) from the goalposts and extending 18 yards into the pitch perpendicular to the goal-line, and a line joining them.

The duration of an adult football match is just composed of two periods of 45 minute search and known as halves. But the half time break is only 15 minutes. And full time is called for the end of the match. The time keeper or the referee of the match may add an extension time for time lost due to substitutions, injured players and other stoppages. Extra time is allowed which consists of two further 15-minute periods and if the score is still tied after the extra time.

Ball in and out of Play the two basic states of play during a game. From the start of each playing period with a kick-off  until the end of the playing period, the ball is in play at all times, except when either the ball leaves the field of play, or play is halted by the referee. When the ball becomes out of play, play is restarted by one of eight restart methods, the method used depending on the reason for the ball going out of play.

• Kick-off: it’s a succeeding a goal by the opposing team or to start each period of play.
• Throw-in: when the ball has completely crossed the touchline; rewarded to the team opposing the one that last touched the ball.
• Goal kick: when the ball has completely crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by an attacker; rewarded to the defending team.
• Corner kick: when the ball has completely crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by a defender; rewarded to attacking team.
• Indirect free kick: rewarded to the opposing team succeeding “non-penalty” fouls, certain technical infringements, or when play is halted to caution/send-off an opponent without a specific foul having occurred.
• Direct free kick: rewarded to fouled team succeeding certain listed “penal” fouls.
• Penalty kick: rewarded to the fouled team succeeding a “penal” foul occurring in their opponent’s penalty area.
• Dropped-ball: occurs when the referee has halted play for any other reason (such as a serious injury to a player, interference by an external party, or a ball becoming defective).

Every game has its penalties. Just like in soccer also. A foul happens when a player commits a specific offence listed in the laws of the game when the ball is in play. The offences that represent a foul are listed in Law 12. Handling the ball, pushing an opponent, or tripping an opponent, are some examples of “penal fouls,” punishable by a penalty kick or direct free kick depending on where the offence occurred. Other fouls are punishable by an indirect free kick.

The league added its first two expansion teams for the 1998 season: Miami Fusion and Chicago Fire. However, following the 2001 season, Miami and the Tampa Bay Mutiny were disbanded and MLS returned to ten teams. Since the 2004 season, the league has expanded with six new clubs: Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA in 2005, the Houston Dynamo in 2006, and Toronto FC in 2007. After relocating as an expansion team to Houston in 2006, the San Jose Earthquakes returned from hiatus in 2008. Seattle Sounders FC joined MLS for the 2009 season.

As of 2009, MLS has had seventeen different clubs over the years, but only seven have won the MLS Cup.

These are the teams that have been aligned already for the 2009:

Eastern:     Team

Chicago fire
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
Kansas City Wizards
New England Revolution
New York Red Bulls
Toronto FC

Western:
Chivas USA
Colorado Rapids
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Los Angeles Galaxy
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC

Goalkeeper- the most specialized position in football. Its job is mainly defensive: to guard the team’s goal from being breached (to not let the other team score). Goalkeeper is the only position defined in the Laws of the Game. It is the only players allowed touching the ball with their hands and arms, however they are restricted to doing so only within their penalty area; for this reason, they must wear jerseys that distinguish them from other outfield players and the referee. If a goalkeeper is sent off or injured, and there is no substitute goalkeeper available, an outfield player must take the goalkeeper’s place and don the appropriate identifying uniform. The discipline of goalkeeping is so specialized that it is very rare in the professional game for a goalkeeper to play in any other position. Physical strength, height, jumping ability and judgement are valued qualities for goalkeepers to have in order to deal with aerial balls and agility, quick reactions and a good positional sense are all needed for shot stopping.

Defenders – or what we called also as the back play behind the midfielders and their primary responsibility is to provide support to the goalkeeper, and to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal. They usually remain in the half of the field that contains the goal they are defending.

Center-back (CB) - also called centre-halves or central defenders, its job is to stop opposing players, particularly the strikers, from scoring, and to bring the ball out from their penalty area. Most teams employ two centre backs, stationed in front of the goalkeeper. Centre-backs are often tall, strong and have a good jumping, heading and tackling ability. Successful centre-backs also need to be able to concentrate, read the game well, and be brave and decisive in making last-ditch tackles on attacking players who might otherwise be through on goal.

Sweeper/ Libero (SW) - is a more versatile type of centre back that, as the name suggests, “sweeps up” the ball if the opponent manages to breach the defensive line. Their position is rather more fluid than other defenders who mark their designated opponents.

Full-Back (FB/RB/LB) – is the one who take up the wide defensive position, one on each side of the field. Their main task is to prevent opposition players crossing or cutting the ball back into the penalty area. In some defensive systems, full-backs mark opponents.
The modern full back is usually pacey, strong in the tackle and with good stamina to get up and down the field. Because of the experience gleaned from the use of their chosen foot, full backs often make good free kick or penalty takers.

Wingback (WB/RWB/LWB) - is a modern variation on the fullback with heavier emphasis on attack. The name is a portmanteau of “winger” (see below) and “full-back”. They are usually employed in a 3-5-2 formation, and could therefore be considered part of the midfield. As the role combines that of the winger and the fullback, wingbacks need to be blessed with good stamina. As they have the support of three centre-backs, they are expected to concentrate more on providing support for strikers and less on their defensive duties.

Midfielders - are players whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders. Their main duties are to maintain possession of the ball, taking the ball from defenders and feeding it to the strikers, as well as dispossessing opposing players. Midfielders can be expected to cover many areas of a pitch, as at times they can be called back into defense or required to attack with the strikers.
Centre midfielder (CM) - play several roles on the field of play, depending on their particular strengths and the tactics of the team. They are also the link between defense and attack, and must also defend when the opposition are in possession.
Defensive midfielder (DM) – also called as holding midfielder and midfield anchor is a central midfielder who is stationed in front of the back defenders for defensive reasons, thus “holding back” the freedom of the opponents to attack. The defensive midfielder screens the defense by harrying and tackling the opposition teams’ attackers and defenders. They also help tactically, by directing central attacking players out to the wing where they have more limited influence, and by covering the positions of full-backs, midfielders and even the centre-backs as they charge up into attack. This position are primarily defensive, as they are not defensive specialists, they are typically supported by a more defensive holding midfielder. This position required excellent positional sense, work rate, tackling ability, and anticipation (of player and ball movement) to excel. It also need excellent passing skills and close control to hold the ball.

Attacking midfielder (AM) - a central midfielder who is stationed in an advanced midfield position, usually behind the strikers. These players typically serve as the offensive pivot of the team, and are sometimes said to be “playing in the hole”, although this term can also be used to describe the positioning of deep-lying centre-forwards. Its main role is to is to create goal-scoring opportunities using superior vision and skill. This position is also a playmaker, they are known to their deft touch, ability to shoot from range, and passing process.
Winger (RW/LW) or wide midfielder (LM/RM) – is a midfielder who is also stationed in a wide position effectively hugging the touchline. It is also used to classified as forward in traditional W- shape formation. But over the last 30 years, wingers have dropped to deeper position field positions. Wingers need to have ‘off-the-ball’ intelligence, like all attacking players.

Forward - or also known as strikers, they are the players on a team in a row nearest to the opposing team’s goal. Its primary responsibility is to score goals. Their other duties are to include setting up goals for other player. Forwards are often among the best-known and most expensive players on their teams because they score more goals than the other players.

Centre forward (CF) – has only one main task and that is to score goals. Other forwards may rely on their pace to run onto long balls passed over or through the opposition defense, rather than collecting the ball with their back to goal like a target man. Some forwards can play both of these roles equally well.

Striker (S) – is different with the centre forward but there still similarity. Striker is better known as known for making runs to beat defenders their trying to beat the offside trap and playing close to the goal area. Strikers are typically recognized as quick and with good reaction speed and defensive responsibility.

Deep-lying forward (SS) – this position have long history in the game. And originally such players were termed inside forwards, or we can say deep-lying forwards. This position was initially developed by the famous Hungary national football team of the late 1940’s and mid 1950’s, it was Ferenc Puskás.

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•    It’s been accepted that Britain started the soccer. But some said that it was started in England by mid 1800’s.
•    And the oldest club that has been establishes all over the world in the year 1857 was Sheffield FC.
•    It is projected that this game is the most watched and most played in various parts of the world.
•    This game is practically known also as football in most of the countries excluding the America who describe soccer.
•    There are well known soccer competitions such are the Manchester derby, Milan derby, Scotland, real vs. Barcelona, London derby and many more.
•    In soccer, their also a well known players. They are Maradonna, Eusebio, Dalglish, Beckham, Pele, Matheus, Ronaldo, Charlton and Cruyff.
•    In the largest soccer tournament ever, no less than 5,098 teams competed in 1999 for the second Bangkok League Seven-a-Side Competition. Over 35,000 players involved!
•    FIFA (Federation International Football Association) is recognized as the international leading organization of soccer and its located in Switzerland.
•    Soccer goalies didn’t have to wear different colored shirts from their team-mates until 1913.
•    The largest attendance for a soccer match ever was 199,854 people - Brazil v. Uruguay in the World Cup at the Maracana Municipal Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, July 1950.
•    Players run as many as 6 or 7 miles during the course of a game.
•    The Romans played a game called “harpastum” which was probably the origin of modern soccer.
•    A soccer ball measures between 27 and 28 inches in circumference.
•    The World Cup is soccer’s most coveted prize.

According to the company of the Business week in 2004, the major League Soccer has lost more than $350 million since it has been founding. However there is still a positive signs for the profitability in the near future. MLS has managed to see their revenues increase while costs are kept to a minimum, a soccer-specific stadium is built, ownership expands and television coverage increase already. Television coverage has consistently expanded throughout the league’s history. ESPN brokered a deal with the MLS in 2006 for rights fees and a greater presence across its networks. They joined Fox Soccer Channel and HDNet as the U.S. national outlets, and the league has mandated that every league game receive television coverage either nationally or locally in one or both teams’ cities for broadcast on its Direct Kick package. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said on May 11, 2006 that he expects the league’s clubs to be profitable by 2010 overall. He reported that FC Dallas and the L.A. Galaxy are already profitable, with several other clubs nearing profitability. A year later, he revealed that the Chicago Fire, the Colorado Rapids, and Toronto FC were on track for profitability by 2008. However in 2008 there were only three profitable MLS franchises; LA Galaxy, Toronto FC and FC Dallas.