MLS has "essentially taken over" DC United from the club's investors and is "loosely overseeing" team operations "as it attempts to find new backers" for the three-time league champions, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. Sources state that Washington Soccer L.P. -- United's investment group "funded primarily" by billionaire George Soros and Octagon -- "still exists," but it "has a distant association" with the team and the league. Meanwhile, Paul Tierney resigned as Washington Soccer's Chair on December 1, and told Goff that while there was "an agreement" for MLS to "buy out" the current investors, he did not know if it had "taken place." United President & GM Kevin Payne "remains in charge" and the staff "remains the same," but an unidentified staff member said, "Not much has really changed. But the league is definitely more involved." Goff writes that paychecks are now issued by MLS, not Washington Soccer, and employees "have been switched" to the league's health and benefits package (WASHINGTON POST, 12/13).
