its depth as it juggles its MLS schedule with action in the CCh

The Washington Redskins are using their non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Kirk Cousins. The move by general manager Scot McCloughan comes as no surprise, with Cousins enjoying a breakout 2015 season, in which he led the team to the play-offs for the first time since 2012. After a difficult start to the season, Cousins performed brilliantly in his final eleven starts of the the season, throwing for 24 touchdowns and being intercepted just three times. Cousins (centre) beat Robert Griffin III (left) and Colt McCoy (right) to become Washingtons starting quarterback It is understood that both the club and player are keen to work out a long-term contract, although Cousins will still make the healthy sum of $19.953m in 2016 - a staggering raise from his $660,000 salary last season. It will also give Cousins the highest base salary for any quarterback in the NFL in the upcoming season. NFL Ins & Outs Keep track of the latest NFL moves The non-exclusive tag should ensure Cousins remains on the team, although other clubs will be allowed to negotiate with the 27-year old, although the Redskins have the chance to match any offers.It further confirms the impending fate of previous starter Robert Griffin III, who is widely expected to be released. He would be due $16.2m next season if he was re-signed, money the club simply will not want to allocate given Cousins hefty salary. Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits Two clubs currently on the plus side of the red line in the MLS Western Conference square off Saturday with playoff positioning as the central focus. Sporting Kansas City (10-11-4) faces FC Dallas (13-6-5) at Dallas Toyota Stadium.Sporting will be looking to improve its fifth-place standing and avoid slipping behind Vancouver, which currently sits in the seventh spot. Sporting KC is currently just four points ahead of the Whitecaps. FC Dallas, meanwhile, leads the Supporters Shield race and will try to extend its 3-point conference advantage over second-place Colorado.The biggest hurdle for Sporting KC is to end a 10-game winless streak on the road. SKC has not won on the road since opening the regular season with two straight shutout victories. To make matters worse, SKC will be without midfielders Soni Mustivar (red card suspension) and Roger Espinoza (yellow card accumulation), who will sit out the contest. Defender Matt Besler (MCL strain), defender Chance Myers (hamstring strain), midfielder Justin Mapp (calf strain) and goalkeeper Tim Melia (back spasms) are still doubtful due to injury.FC Dallas will also test its depth as it juggles its MLS schedule with action in the CChampions League and the Lamar Hunt U.ddddddddddddS. Open Cup. Dallas earned a spot in the Open Cup final with a 2-1 extra-time victory over the LA Galaxy on the road Wednesday. Dallas has not lost at home, including in the MLS playoffs, since last August. The squad boasts a 19-match home unbeaten streak, going 9-0-3 in MLS regular-season action at Toyota Stadium.Mauro Diaz ranks second in MLS with 10 assists, including five that led to game-winning goals. His Dallas teammates include three players with at least five goals and two assists: Maxu Urruti (6 goals, 3 assists), Michael Barrios (6 goals, 2 assists) and Tesho Akindele (5 goals, 3 assists). Goalkeeper Chris Seitz is tied for the league lead with seven shutouts. Defender Zach Loyd is ruled out with a concussion, but he is the lone injury concern for Dallas.Sporting Kansas City holds a narrow 23-21-10 edge in the all-time regular-season series, but is 9-13-4 on the road. The home team in the series has won six straight and is 7-0-2 in the last nine contests, including two matches this season. ' ' '