Martin Behera, the president of North American Soccer Leagues for Major League Soccer.

“We are aware of the circumstances and are in communication with the club, its owner, and its team management to determine all legal steps that lead to a timely resolution of the matter,” MLS said in a statement.

MLS said if the clubs were unable to work out a possible settlement, league officials would consider launching a lawsuit against the clubs.

Sporting KC officials declined to comment on the pending legal developments.

Lonnie Chisenhall, who played on six MLS clubs and was a member of the MLS Hall of Fame, said he doesn’t think the clubs could survive in this situation.

“It’s pretty apparent, I would not say’sensible’ to continue to host matches there,” Chisenhall said. “I think it’d be a real shame to end their careers there.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re right or wrong, it’s just too much for them to do. This will be a huge blow to the league and these players and will be a big loss.”

Former U.S. defender Steve Gans said the MLS should take a lesson for itself from other clubs, which were hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Sporting KC had scheduled a playoff game at the then-new Sports Authority Field at the KCI. The city needed $75,000 to relocate the stadium. In retrospect, Chisenhall said, the league would have been foolish to have hosted the games at the old ballpark, the same place where former players Sam Cronin, Brad Friedel, Chris Albright, and Bill Hamid had played before moving on to MLS.

“You know, I’m not sure it’s going to be the end of it, or much of a solution, with them being that big of a player,” Chisenhall said. “But if I’d have to guess it would be another blow and make things a lot more difficult.”