Major League Soccer fans can rest a little easier now that the league and the MLS Players’ Union have agreed in principle to a new collective bargaining agreement two days before the 2014 MLS Cup Champions, the LA Galaxy kickoff against the Chicago Fire on Friday, March 6.
While the deal has yet to be ratified by the players, it does include limited free agency for the first time in league history. This was the biggest sticking point with players who were willing to strike and create the first work stoppage in the 20 year history of MLS.
Paul Tenorio of the Orlando Sentinel who will cover the inaugural campaign of Orlando FC shared some brief details of the agreement.
As I have written in past articles, MLS would have taken many steps backwards if a strike entailed and part of the season was missed. Two teams are making their debut, and new international stars will be joining the league this year including Italy’s Sebastian Giovinco, Spain’s David Villa, England’s Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, and US National Team members Jozy Altidore, Mix Diskerud, and Sacha Kljestan. Tune in this season for MLS’s best season yet.
And that’s…as I see it!
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