NEW YORK -- The lockout of Major League Soccers referees has ended following an agreement on a five-year labour contract. The Professional Referee Organization, which manages game officials for the U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS, and the Professional Soccer Referee Association, announced the agreement Thursday. Replacements had been used for the first two weekends of MLS games. The PSRA was certified by the National Labor Relations Board last May to represent referees, assistant referees and fourth officials working MLS games. The sides bargained since July, and the lockout began a day ahead of MLS openers on March 7. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service entered talks, and a tentative agreement was reached Tuesday night that was ratified by the union membership and approved by PROs executive board. "First contracts sometimes pose difficult challenges as the parties seek to define the parameters of a new formal relationship," FMCS acting director Scot L. Beckenbaugh said in a statement. The agreement runs until Jan. 15, 2019. Lucas Middlebrook, a PRSA lawyer, said the deal includes "substantially better" compensation and "a number of non-economic work rule protections such as a just-cause standard for certain disciplinary matters and standardization of fitness testing. "In addition, the officials now have a contract protecting important quality-of-life items such as travel standards, vacation time and advance notice of match assignments," he said in an email. Khris Middleton Bucks Jersey . (AP) -- The head of the committee that developed Major League Baseballs plan to expand instant replay says he is optimistic the system will be in place this season, even though owners and unions for players and umpires have yet to approve. Brook Lopez Bucks Jersey . Toronto (11-12) gave up leads in 10-8 and 11-4 losses to the Baltimore Orioles this week. It was never close Friday as the Boston Red Sox got to Mark Buehrle early en route to an 8-1 win. https://www.bucksrookiesshop.com/Frank-M...Edition-Jersey/. The Stampeders announced the move on Wednesday. Bell spent his first two CFL seasons with the B. Sterling Brown Bucks Jersey . The agreement comes a little more than one week after the video game manufacturer agreed to a $40 million settlement in a similar but separate case, bringing the total payout planned for athletes to $60 million, said Steve Berman, an attorney for the plaintiffs, and the NCAA. Oscar Robertson Jersey . Winning more at home probably should be on the list. The Flames look to avoid a fifth defeat in six home games by winning a sixth straight meeting with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns have signed fullback Chris Pressley, a potential lead blocker to open holes for new running back Ben Tate. Pressley missed all of last season with Cincinnati because of a knee injury. The 5-foot-10, 249-pounder has made 20 career starts in the NFL for the Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2012, he helped Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis lead the league by converting 14 of 15 times on 3rd-and-1 plays. Thhe Browns did not have a traditional fullback on their roster last season, using Chris Ogbonnaya and some reserve tight ends.dddddddddddd Clevelands offence will have a different look this season under new co-ordinator Kyle Shanahan, and the Browns need someone to clear a path for Tate, who signed a two-year, $7 million free agent deal with them in March. Pressley was a teammate of Browns Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas at Wisconsin. ' ' '