THE STARTING 11: MLS side effects during the economic downturn

Most of the industrialized world has been in the grip of a harsh recession for the last couple of years and things aren't turning around yet. Jobs have been lost, people are losing their homes ... no one will pay Portsmouth FC's player's wages - the horror of it all! Well, Major League Soccer itself is far from immune. Many of the league's clubs still don't turn a profit and there may be a bad labour dispute only weeks away. However, there are some other harsh realities MLS has had to cope with during the recession...

11. MLS Super Draft 2010 to choose from pool of unemployed auto workers

10. All players in the league to live in Beckham's house while he's in Milan

9. Don Garber's going to Vegas - betting the Wizards on red

8. Chad Barrett to stop scoring in order to preserve shoe leather (DONE)

7. Drew Carey no longer allowed near Sounders' team buffet

6. MLS Cup seen in window of Utah pawn shop

5. Colorado to play in front of empty stadium to conserve energy (DONE)

4. Preki forced to shorten his name even further

3. One of the construction workers on Columbus Crew's logo laid off

2. DP's replaced by adorable soccer playing Golden Retrievers a la "Air Bud: World Pup"

1. Arab sheiks to buy other Los Angeles club: Chivas UAE to play next season