Earthquakes may move

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes have permission to move the franchise for next season.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said Tuesday that the league told the Earthquakes' ownership group at recent MLS meetings it could move the team in time for 2006. A decision on the club's new home will be made in the next 30 days, but Garber's announcement doesn't necessarily mean the franchise will relocate, the team said.

"At the recent MLS Board of Governors meeting in Frisco, Texas, the Anschutz Entertainment Group was granted approval by the board to move the San Jose Earthquakes to a number of potential cities, including Houston, Texas," Garber said in a statement.

" A final decision on the location of the team will be reached within the next 30 days."

San Jose, the Western Conference regular-season champion, lost to the eventual MLS Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy in the conference semifinals last month.