ma). Stanfords season has typically been a reflection of the outcome of its game against USC. A win last year was parlayed into a Pac-12 title. A los

BOYDS, Md. -- The Washington Spirit prevented Seattle midfielder Megan Rapinoe from kneeling during the national anthem by altering its pregame ceremonies rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent.The National Womens Soccer League team moved up the anthem, playing it while the teams were off the field at the Maryland SoccerPlex.We decided to play the anthem in our stadium ahead of schedule rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent, the Spirit said in a statement. We understand this may be seen as an extraordinary step, but believe it was the best option to avoid taking focus away from the game on such an important night for our franchise.On Sunday before the Reigns match in Chicago, Rapinoe knelt during the anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick,?the San Francisco quarterback who has refused to stand during the anthem to protest racial injustice and minority oppression. She said at the time she planned to continue to kneel.To willingly allow anyone to hijack this tradition that means so much to millions of Americans and so many of our own fans for any cause would effectively be just as disrespectful as doing it ourselves, the Spirit said in the statement.Rapinoe said after the game she was saddened by the Spirits move and took issue with their statement.It was incredibly distasteful, four days before one of the worst tragedies in our country, to say I tried to hijack this event, Rapinoe said after the game, according to The Washington Post.The Spirit said team owner Bill Lynch is a veteran who has lost friends in overseas conflicts, along with his close friends.The tradition of honoring our military and our patriotism before our games is very important to us, the statement said. We strongly feel that there are better ways to begin a conversation about a cause than tarnishing a tradition that is so important to so many.Earlier Wednesday, the Reign said they are standing by Rapinoe. In a statement, the team said it recognizes Rapinoes action was offensive to some and a source of inspiration to others.We will continue to encourage all Reign FC players to participate in the pre-match ceremony, which honors those who have served and made sacrifices on our behalf, the Reign said. We will also continue to allow players to participate in the pre-match ceremony in a manner consistent with their personal beliefs, reflecting our respect for the rights earned and defended by those fighting for our nation.NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush, who was in attendance at Thursdays match, told The Washington Post he had not been informed of the Spirits plans.I would have preferred to have had an honest dialogue of what we wanted to do, what their goals were, and then work through it, Plush said. I dont suggest I have all the answers, but its better to talk about it. Im disappointed.Plush called the topic an emotional issue.Im trying to be aware of that and respectful of different points of view, Plush said. Its a challenging issue and a challenging time. Weve got some issues we need to work through as a country. ... The issue brought forth by Colin and then Megan is a real issue. We need to have serious conversations about it. I dont know whether it belongs on the playing surface. Its bigger than us.Kaepernick drew attention when he remained seated on the bench before a preseason game against Green Bay. Last Thursday night in San Diego, he and safety Eric Reid knelt during the anthem before a game against the Chargers.On Sunday night, Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem prior to the match against the Chicago Red Stars in what she called a little nod to Kaepernick.I think its actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isnt. We need to have a more thoughtful, two-sided conversation about racial issues in this country, Rapinoe told the website American Soccer Now afterward.She went on to say, Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties. It was something small that I could do and something that I plan to keep doing in the future and hopefully spark some meaningful conversation around it.The 31-year-old Rapinoe, who has played for Seattle since 2013, has been with the U.S. national team since 2006 and has played in two Womens World Cups and two Olympics.She injured her knee last December during training and required surgery, but Rapinoe was able to come back and play in the Rio Games. The United States, which had won three straight gold medals in the sport, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden.Since coming out in 2012, Rapinoe has been a devoted advocate for LGBT rights and has worked with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and other organizations.Rapinoe also has been vocal about pay equity, and she was among five national team players who lent their names to a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging wage discrimination. The players claim that members of the team make in some cases up to four times less than their male national team counterparts.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Marco Reus Jersey . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Jonas Hector Germany Jersey . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. http://www.germanysoccerpro.com/Manuel-Neuer-Germany-Jersey/ . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Marvin Plattenhardt Germany Jersey .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Jerome Boateng Germany Jersey . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Week 3 is the kind of lineup that could throw the College Football Playoff contenders into the air just to see where they land.Several one-loss teams, namely Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Ole Miss, are facing must-win situations. But there are also games that could start a chain reaction of chaos. Heres a look at how each conference could be impacted by the biggest games of the week:PAC-12Potential chaos: USC beats StanfordThats all it would take to start a tailspin of confusion in the Pac-12 pecking order. USC was manhandled and embarrassed in its season opener against defending national champ Alabama, but everything is still on the table as far as the Pac-12 title goes. The Trojans could get right back into the CFP conversation, and the committee wouldnt leave out a one-loss Pac-12 champ with a lone loss to Alabama in the opener. (Granted, USC wont win the Pac-12 if it plays against Stanford the way it did against Bama). Stanfords season has typically been a reflection of the outcome of its game against USC. A win last year was parlayed into a Pac-12 title. A loss in 2014 sank Stanford into a five-loss season. After finishing No. 6 last year, David Shaws crew knows how tough it is to crack the top four as a two-loss team. With back-to-back road trips to UCLA and Washington looming, plus a trip to Notre Dame on Oct. 15, Stanford needs to win its home games.ACCPotential chaos: A three-way tie in the Atlantic DivisionThe scenario: Louisville beats FSU, Clemson beats Louisville, and FSU beats Clemson. (Scratching your head? The selection committee will be, too.) If Louisville is for real -- and who really knows after routs against Charlotte and Syracuse -- the ACCs Atlantic Division race could be a jumbled mess of one-loss teams, with Clemson, Louisville and FSU all playing each other. It starts Saturday, when No. 2 Florida State travels to Louisville, a game that features the two new Football Power Index favorites to win the ACC. Should the Cards win, FSU will need to hope Clemson fares better and beats Louisville, but the Noles then couldnt afford to lose at home to Clemson. Head-to-head results are one of the criteria the selection committee considers when evaluating comparable teams, but this chaos might also be the leagues best hope at having two teams in the CFP.SECPotential chaos: Alabama loses at Ole Miss and Auburn beats Texas A&MIf that happens, the SEC West will enter Week 4 with six of its seven teams already having a loss (assuming Arkansas starts 3-0 after a win against Texas State). Oh, its possible. Ole Miss has beaten Alabama in each of the past two seasons, and while that hasnt kept the Tide out of the playoff, a loss to Ole Miss this year would definitely put the pressure on throughout the rest of the season, especially if Auburn finds a way to enter the conversation.dddddddddddd The Tigers lost a close one to Clemson, but that has zero impact on their SEC title chances, and any team with a shot to win the SEC has a chance at the committees top four. Auburn still has a lot to prove but seems to have found its offensive identity with Sean White at quarterback. ESPNs FPI is basically considering this one a toss-up, projecting Auburn with a 54.5 percent chance to beat A&M.BIG TENPotential chaos: Michigan State and Ohio State both lose nonconference games this weekMichigan State had a bye week to prepare for its road trip to Notre Dame, but ESPNs FPI gives the Spartans only a 22.1 percent chance to win in South Bend. No. 3 Ohio State is playing its first ranked opponent of the season after two lopsided wins against Bowling Green and Tulsa. Saturday should provide more answers about both Big Ten teams, but if they lose, one of them is guaranteed to finish the season with two losses, because they play each other Nov. 19 in East Lansing. That will most certainly provide Michigan some breathing room, assuming, of course, the Wolverines are undefeated heading into that Oct. 29 game at Michigan State. No. 9 Wisconsin might have something to say about that, though, on Oct. 1 in Ann Arbor.BIG 12Potential chaos: Oklahoma loses to Ohio StateOklahoma State has lost. TCU has lost. OU has lost. If the Sooners lose again this weekend, all eyes turn to Texas as the Big 12s best hope for a playoff contender, if it isnt already. After starting the season with a loss to Houston, Oklahoma has no margin for error Saturday against Ohio State. According to FPI, there is an 80 percent chance the Big 12 champ has two or more losses, up from 36 percent in the preseason. Thats a problem only because the Big 12s title game isnt in place until 2017, so a two-loss champ wouldnt have that extra game against a ranked opponent to help compensate for the second loss.OTHERSPotential chaos: Notre Dame and Houston both win outIf either loses, that team is likely out of the College Football Playoff, but what if both win out? It would present the selection committee with the option of leaving out three Power 5 conferences from its top four in favor of American champ Houston and the independent Irish. Want to combine two chaos scenarios? How about Louisville wins the ACC but loses to Houston? ' ' '