Despite initial reports that ESPN would make available its MLS games starting next season on ESPN3.com via authentication, where the soccer fan would have to log in to prove s/he has a TV subscription to ESPN, the latest reporting is that ESPN may offer Major League Soccer online without authentication, so no proof of cable would be required.

The idea is being seriously considered by ESPN, according to tech website VentureBeat. And it’s quite possible that down the road the service could be offered as a standalone subscription fee.

“We’ve just got to think about other business models,” Skipper said. “We’re not far along on any them, but we do think about how we might capture more money direct from consumers.”

With ESPN having the rights to MLS under the new TV/Internet deal (along with FOX Sports and Univision), ESPN could sell video subscriptions of the games directly to soccer fans via the web and mobile devices. Under the new deal, ESPN has the rights from 2015 to 2022.

Here are tonight’s world soccer news headlines:

Major League Soccer

Premier League

Serie A

La Liga

International soccer

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