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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Dutch Bros. raises $6,580 for Hawthorne Park 10 things to know for Friday App Finder: Nice nutrition apps Emergency services, March 6 A chance to 'feel normal' Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 6 Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford Convicted rapist gets life without parole Learn to protect yourself in free class on identity theft Emergency services Politics and Elections Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Education Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process MSD to save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million by refinancing Medford schools superintendent gets high marks St. Mary's robotics team qualifies for state competition Environment Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Eastern Oregon dig uncovers ancient stone tool Team tracks new baby orca Motor-voter bill sent to Gov. Brown Mother blames deputies, stun guns for son's death Nation - World Obituaries Robert Lee Bennett Paul Orvil Fallgreen Earl Dean King Gary Taylor Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 Moore is better for Bulls Rothfus leads St. Mary's into state semifinals Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Varsity 541 College Sports No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 SOU distance relay qualifies for NAIA finals Cougars hold off Ducks in tournament One step at a time Ducks have edge in Civil War victory Pro Sports Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews Moore is better for Bulls Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Holmes opens four-shot lead at WGC MLS ready to kick off its 20th season Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: A Few of Our Favorite Places New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Harry & David announces new president Ride & Drive: 2015 Chrysler 300 Real Estate News New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week Matthew T. Mangino: Pennsylvania officials battle over possibility of rare execution Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor, March 6 Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness Editorials Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 6 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Letters to the Editor, March 3 Letters to the Editor, March 2 Columns Philip Maddocks: Homeland Security is prepared to let its protection of Congress run out after this week Matthew T. Mangino: Pennsylvania officials battle over possibility of rare execution Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness George Will: Stopping the IRS Dana Milbank: Netanyahu's fighting words Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Airy mousse rivals ease of pudding from a box Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Barbara Presnell: How are you since your husband retired? Fishing Report: Friday, March 6 Food Community blog: Airy mousse rivals ease of pudding from a box Page Onorato: Please don’t take my Goo Goo Clusters away Season Stepp: Celebrate Pi Day with these tasty pie recipes Tammy Kelly: Bring back the potatoes Pantry pride Home and Garden Dear Monty: Home seller seeks to start bidding war Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Home Help: Enhance your home-office experience Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Cognitive-behavioral therapy shown to help hoarders Dr. Jeff Hersh: Gallstones affect 25 percent of American women Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Hiking Biking Faith More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment Music Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship The Farr Side: Another career highlight for Kelly Clarkson Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state ... TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight ... Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state ... TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight ... Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... SOCCER MLS ready to kick off its 20th season Comment By Tacoma News Tribune MailTribune.com By Tacoma News Tribune Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 7:26 PM By Tacoma News Tribune Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 7:26 PM » Social News Major League Soccer’s 20th season also could be its biggest in a variety of ways. When the reigning champion Los Angeles Galaxy kicks off against the Chicago Fire at 7 p.m. Friday, it will begin an MLS season with the most teams, a record broadcasting contract, and every indication of building on the record in-stadium attendance of a season ago. Here are some of the things to look for between the first kick on Friday and the final whistle at MLS Cup in December: 20-team league: MLS welcomes two expansion teams: New York City FC and Orlando City SC. Both have soccer-specific stadiums on the horizon, but NYCFC will play its inaugural season at Yankee Stadium and Orlando at the Citrus Bowl. In a nice touch, MLS has scheduled the newcomers to debut against each other at 2 p.m. Sunday, and Florida fans have responded with more than 60,000 tickets purchased. Meanwhile, the plug has been pulled from the failed experiment that was Chivas USA. A new club is scheduled to join the Los Angeles market in 2017 along with expansion Atlanta. Conference realignment: With both newcomers in the Eastern Time Zone, MLS realigned to establish a numerical balance of 10 teams in each conference. New York and Orlando will be Eastern Conference clubs, while former Eastern members Kansas City and Houston will slide into the West. The shifting seemed to make the traditionally stronger West only deeper and more dominant, while the swap of two established teams for two expansion teams would seem to make the East only weaker. However, New York and Orlando have each shown a kind of ambition that indicates they could be more than typical pay-your-dues-a-while newcomers. The increase in teams also led the league to increase its playoff qualifiers. Now the top six teams in each conference — meaning 12 of the 20 MLS teams — advance into the postseason. Television contract: The new season also marks the start of a lucrative broadcasting contract with ESPN, Fox Sports and Univision. All three networks will feature an exclusive Match of the Week broadcast slot that the league hopes will build viewer habit and loyalty. Included in are national games on Fridays and Saturday and a 2 p.m.-4 p.m. two-network doubleheader each Sunday on ESPN and Fox. The contract runs for eight seasons, with ESPN and Fox alternating coverage of MLS Cup. Locally, the Sounders signed a new deal for its non-national games to be shown locally on Channel 13 and JOEtv, and regionally on Root. Other changes: The San Jose Earthquakes will move into its new 18,000-seat, soccer-specific Avaya Stadium. The Columbus Crew has changed its crest and rebranded into Columbus Crew SC. And most of the teams in the league have reworked their primary and/or secondary kits. Top contenders: For all the changes of the coming MLS season, the league’s general balance of power seems familiar. The Galaxy is Las Vegas’ betting favorite to defend its MLS Cup, followed by the Sounders. 2014 MLS Cup runner-up New England is the favorite in the East. Real Salt Lake is expected to extend its league-high playoff-qualification run to an eighth season. However, there once again seems to be renewed hope that Toronto FC could finally breakthrough for its first playoff appearance. It will also be interesting to see either of the expansion teams can continue into the postseason. And if Los Angeles, Seattle and RSL all continue what have been their annual playoff appearances in the West, that means some quality teams such as Dallas, Kansas City, Portland, Vancouver or Houston will be squeezed out. By Tacoma News Tribune MailTribune.com By Tacoma News Tribune Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 7:26 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Fantasy Football Outlook for Bills Stars Mar. 6, 2015 at 8:46 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Cardinals Stars Mar. 4, 2015 at 5:27 am Fantasy Football Outlook for 49ers Stars Feb. 27, 2015 at 9:40 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Rams Stars Feb. 24, 2015 at 11:29 pm Fantasy Football Outlook for Browns Stars Feb. 19, 2015 at 6:32 pm 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Vikings Stars Feb. 13, 2015 at 6:47 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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