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TORONTO - Players on the U.S. mens soccer team have thrown their support behind the women fighting against artificial turf at the 2015 Womens World Cup.The U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association issued a statement Monday saying its members fully support the womens national team players from around the world in their efforts to play on natural grass at the 2015 Womens World Cup.We know firsthand the importance of playing the World Cup on natural grass and the ways playing on artificial turf changes the games fundamentals. the statement said. We have all played on artificial turf and we know there are circumstances where it is appropriate or conditions require its use, but the World Cup is not one of those circumstances.To play the Womens World Cup on artificial turf would be a serious mistake.The association represents the U.S. mens national team players on compensation, working conditions and other matters. It also is the membership organization for alumni members of the U.S. mens team.It has no link to the American womens team.A group of elite female players from around the world has launched a legal challenge to the use of turf with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, arguing that it discriminates against women because the men do not play their showcase tournament on artificial surfaces.U.S. star Abby Wambach is one of several American women behind the challenge.FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association have dismissed the claim, saying the laws of the game allow playing on turf as long as it is of a certain quality.Its not as much about the legal challenge. Its about the importance of the World Cup and the Womens World Cup is a World Cup, Mark Levinstein, acting executive director and general counsel of the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association, said in an interview. And we think its important that whoevers playing in a World Cup, that the World Cup is treated with a certain amount of respect.That the U.S. men support playing on natural grass is not a surprise. But by doing so formally, they have injected themselves into the debate.There is much for the men at stake in this debate too, with FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke saying recently that a mens World Cup could be held on artificial surfaces sooner rather than later.The statement from the U.S. mens team players gives the women another weapon in their arsenal, not to mention another headline. Both sides have taken turns firing salvos in the war of words, with FIFA using its website to strategically release information on its side of the argument.The association representing the U.S. mens team players also weighed in on allegations that FIFA and national associations have pressured women not to join the legal challenge.We support the right of the women players to stand up for what they believe, said the association. No player should ever be threatened with exclusion from their national team, damage to their career, or adverse consequences to their national team or the sport in their country (such as exclusion from the World Cup or damaging their countrys chances of hosting a World Cup) for exercising their legal rights, especially when they are trying to protect the sport, the fans, and their fellow players.The message is simple and unequivocal: the World Cup should not be played on artificial turf and the organizers and the players should work together to schedule the games on grass for the benefit of the sport, the players, and the fans who will be attending and watching this and future Womens World Cups.There seems no immediate solution, with the Canadian Soccer Association rejecting an offer of early mediation from the Human Rights Tribunal of Canada.The CSAs position is because the players claim has no validity, there is need to negotiate. And with the tournament starting in June, time is trickling away although the women say a solution — temporary grass surfaces or use of venues with real grass — could happen on relatively short notice.The Human Rights Tribunal rejected the players bid for an expedited hearing, offering up the early mediation instead and has several other matters on the issue to resolve before a full hearing can take place.The Canadian tournament runs June 6 to July 5 in Moncton, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Cheap Nike Shoes Canada .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Nike Shoes Canada Online . Nine years later, he might have finally figured it out. He had only five rounds in the 60s in his previous eight trips. http://www.clearancenikeshoescanada.com/ .com) - One point guard will return, while another will sit when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Nike Shoes Canada Outlet .Y. -- Nothing seems to phase No. Wholesale Nike Shoes For Sale . "I wouldnt read anything into what happened Saturday at Torrey Pines," Woods said Tuesday after an 18-hole exhibition for past winners of the Dubai Desert Classic.Liam Sutcliffe insists the Leeds players are raring to go as they look to arrest their alarming slump when in-form Hull visit Headingley on Friday night. The Super League champions are second from bottom after winning just two of their first 10 matches and their last three defeats have been at the hands of last years bottom four teams.Sutcliffe, one of only three players to have started every match so far as injuries continue to devastate Brian McDermotts squad, says there were signs in last Saturdays 14-10 defeat at a much-improved Salford that the Rhinos are close to turning the corner. It was very disappointing to lose again but there were many positives, especially from where weve been at the last couple of weeks, Sutcliffe said.Were not panicking. We know were not in a great position but everyone is still confident in the teams ability and what we can do.You cant dwell too much on the past because it wont do you any good. You beat yourself up at the weekend but, come Monday morning, everyone is ready and raring to go again. It will come good. Returning star Robert Lui inspired Salford City Red Devils to a 14-10 win over fading Super League champions Leeds Rhinos The 21-year-old Sutcliffe was earmarked as their heir-apparent to Kevin Sinfield but, after making his comeback from a seven-month absence with a knee injury in the opening game of the season, admits things have not gone to plan.He found himself pushed out to the threequuarters for the last two games after Ryan Hall, Tom Briscoe and Joel Moon joined the clubs injury list but will be back at stand-off against Hull following skipper Danny McGuires return to the sidelines with a quad problem.ddddddddddddI was really looking forward to lining up with Danny McGuire this year, Sutcliffe said. Getting injured in the first game didnt help, plus I was trying to get back into the swing of things.Theres a whole bunch of things thats not gone right, personally and team wise, but hopefully we can pick up.Leeds have won their last nine home meetings with Hull, whose last win at Headingley was in September, 2007, but Lee Radfords men are riding high and aiming for a sixth successive win.However, they will still be without the injured Gareth Ellis and Mark Minichiello, while Carlos Tuimavave is also out after suffering a groin injury in last weeks warm-up. Hull FC are looking to claim six wins on the bounce on Friday night at Leeds Leeds Rhinos squad: Hardaker, Watkins, Burrow, Galloway, Falloon, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sutcliffe, Delaney, Singleton, Garbutt, Keinhorst, Achurch, Mullally, Handley, Golding, Baldwinson, Lilley, Smith.Hull FC squad: Bowden, Fonua, Green, Hadley, Houghton, Manu, Michaels, Naughton, Paleaaesina, Pritchard, Pryce, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Taylor, Thompson, Watts, Washbrook, Yeaman.Watch Leeds v Hull FC from 7.30pm on Friday on Sky Sports 2. Watch the action for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass. ' ' '