Freedom Kicks for 20 February 2014: National Labor Relations Board, Jorge Vergara, Didier Drogba

Good morning, dear readers! As we inch ever closer to the Carolina Challenge Cup and the opening of the MLS regular season, rumors continue to swirl, expansion news continues unabated, and we did not yet have any referees to officiate any games.

MLS referees’ union claims management threatened retribution: Things are getting nasty between the MLS referees' union and the Professional Referee Organization, with the union recently filing its second complaint to the National Labor Relations Board.

ESPN reporting Chivas USA could be sold, but take it with a grain of salt - The Goat Parade: I hope that this happens, and combined with a Chivas USA rebrand, as it would finally end the struggles that have plagued the Chivas USA brand without ripping the heart out of the team's fans if the team were relocated.

Report: St. Louis duo seeking USL PRO expansion club, with long-term goal of MLS entry | MLSsoccer.com: USL PRO is trying to expand at a rapid clip, but I wonder if it is good for the long-term health of the league to do so.

"Didier Drogba to MLS" chatter gains momentum | ProSoccerTalk: File under "Seattle Sounders have lots of cash."

Bill Hamid takes the MLS leading goalscorer quiz | MLSsoccer.com: Bill Hamid has 60 seconds to name the top 20 MLS goalscorers.

VIDEO: "Next Goal Wins" is the story of American Samoa, coached by Thomas Rongen | SIDELINE | MLSsoccer.com: Watching Thomas Rongen take the reins of American Samoa was a great sight.

As always, this is your open thread to talk all things soccer throughout the day.