MLS contract rules detrimental to players

(by Freddie Ljungberg espn.go.com 3-15-10)

Imagine you work at Burger King and you get sacked. Now, you want to get another job at McDonald's, but you're not allowed to unless McDonald's compensates Burger King. It seems absurd, but that's the way certain things work in MLS at the moment. If your team terminates your contract, it still can demand a trade from another club before you can go and play for that other club.

The CBA, for me personally, is a sad saga. I was told it would be settled when I came back to the USA in January. Now it plays a lot on the minds of players in the preseason because we don't know if the first game is going to be played on March 25 or not. If it isn't, it will be a very sad day for players and fans in this country.

Coming from Europe, maybe I see it differently, as I've been playing under FIFA rules my whole life, but the players just want those rights. If we keep the wage cap, it shouldn't put the league in economic jeopardy as it won't cost the league any more money than what it has already agreed to.

One thing for me that is very confusing is what happens after a player's contract is up. I find it amazing that even after your club lets your contract run out without renewing, it still has all the power and still owns the player's rights.

Keller: Strike vote isn't about money but player rights

(espn.go.com 3-12-10)

SEATTLE -- Kasey Keller wants to make sure fans who hear about a possible strike in Major League Soccer understand the current standoff is about player rights and not salaries.

"This is truly a case of guys who could make more money going out and getting a job, but they're trying to live out the dream," Keller said on Friday.

The Seattle Sounders goalkeeper said he wasn't surprised when the MLS Players Union announced Thursday it voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached by March 25, when the Sounders host expansion Philadelphia in the league opener.

The league's first collective bargaining agreement, a five-year deal, originally was set to run out Jan. 31 but was extended twice while negotiations continued. It expired Feb. 25 after the MLS Players Union refused another extension.

Negotiators for management and players met Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, D.C., in talks convened by George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

All the players are asking for are rights players have in other leagues around the world, Keller said. He understands that when the previous deal was agreed to, players needed to make concessions to keep the league going.

Now that the league has a solid base and is expanding into new markets, and Keller said it's time for the players to get some of those concessions back.

"I understand where the league was coming from five, 10 years ago when it was up against the wall if we were going to still have a league," Keller said. "That's now no longer the case and some of the things they were able to get away with just can't happen anymore."

Keller has been on teams in the top leagues in Europe -- the English Premier League, La Liga in Spain and living in a castle while playing in Germany's Bundesliga. Keller spent the 2007-08 season playing with Fulham in the EPL, but found himself mostly in a reserve role.

Unhappy with the single-entity structure that has seen the league negotiate all contracts since play began in 1996, players want greater free-agent rights and a higher percentage of guaranteed deals.

Player income averaged $147,945 at the start of last season, according to the union. But the median -- the point at which an equal amount make above and below -- was $88,000 for 323 players listed.

"It's something that everyone needs to realize that this thing being positive for the players in the end is positive for the league, which in the end is positive for the owners," said Seattle's Peter Vagenas, about to begin his 11th MLS season. "Because quite frankly the rest of the world looks at some of the rules and regulations we abide by and it sort of adds to the stereotype of this league not being top quality."

The threat of a strike comes as the Philadelphia Union, the league's 16th team, is set to start play at Seattle in the league opener. While Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., is to open with an exhibition between New York and Brazil's Santos on March 20, a strike would postpone the first league match at the $200 million soccer-specific stadium, against Chicago on March 27.

Earlier this week, Seattle's designated player, Swedish star Freddie Ljungberg, said when he flew over from Europe to join the Sounders preseason training in early February he was told a deal was imminent.

Both Keller, 40, and Vagenas say they remain optimistic something will get settled before the Sounders are supposed to take the field in less than two weeks against Philadelphia. But they also insist the players are united in making sure they receive what they believe is a fair deal.

"I'm quite frankly shocked to see it still at this point with the league still dragging its feet," Vagenas said. "We're very much behind the rest of the world, rest of the leagues in terms of players rights. ... We understand the sport in this country isn't the NFL, but at the same time there are certain rights players should have and we don't have."

MLS players prepared to strike if CBA not reached

(si.com 3-11-10)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Major League Soccer players voted to strike if a new labor contract isn't agreed to before the season opener on March 25.

The league's first collective bargaining agreement, a five-year deal, originally was set to run out Jan. 31 but was extended twice while negotiations continued. It expired Feb. 25 after the MLS Players Union refused another extension.

"Recent comments from players simply reflect the fact that the players are unified and, per the results of our strike vote, will not begin the new season if a new agreement with the league is not reached," union executive director Bob Foose said in a statement Thursday.

The union did not detail the strike authorization vote.

Negotiators for management and players met Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, D.C., in talks convened by George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

On Thursday, Toronto defender Nick Garcia was quoted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. as saying: "We're anticipating not having the season starting. ... As of now, for us, we're very far apart, even with the mediator there in D.C."

Unhappy with the single-entity structure that has resulted in the league negotiating all contracts since play began in 1996, players want greater free-agent rights and a higher percentage of guaranteed deals.

Player income averaged $147,945 at the start of last season, according to the union. But the median -- the point at which an equal number make above or below -- was $88,000 for 323 players listed.

"We have an understanding with the union and the mediator that we will not publicly discuss what takes place during these bargaining sessions, so we were disappointed when we saw comment from a number of players that both characterized the status of the negotiations and discussed the possibility of a strike," MLS president Mark Abbott said before Foose's announcement.

"The meetings this week were productive and we scheduled a number of additional meetings," Abbott said. "The players' comments do not accurately reflect the proposals that we've made to address their concerns or the productive nature of the discussions we've had between MLS and the union."

The threat of a strike comes as the Philadelphia Union, the league's 16th team, is set to join the competition in the league opener.

Abbott said MLS ticket sales have not been hurt by the lack of an agreement.

"The league continues to function business as usual," he said.

Los Angeles Galaxy captain Landon Donovan, whose loan to Everton is scheduled to end after Saturday's match at Birmingham, may be able to extend his stay in the English Premier League if there's a strike.

"There's not a strike, so there's nothing to address at the moment. Landon is going to be returning after this game this weekend," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "We're proceeding ahead like we do a couple of weeks before any season."

Galaxy midfielder David Beckham already is on loan to AC Milan through the end of the Serie A season in May.

It is not clear whether players signed to contracts with MLS would have the ability during a strike to sign with clubs in other countries without MLS approval. MLS players under consideration for the U.S. World Cup roster could be sent to foreign clubs for training.

Federal mediator appointed for MLS talks

(espn.go.com 3-5-10)

NEW YORK -- A federal mediator will be at the bargaining table when Major League Soccer's labor talks resume next week in Washington, D.C.

Management and the MLS Players Union said Friday they have accepted an offer from George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to serve as mediator.

The league's first collective bargaining agreement was to have run out Jan. 31, was extended twice and then expired Feb. 25 when players balked at adding more time. The sides have not met since Feb. 22.

Players say they want increased free-agent rights within the league and more guaranteed contracts. MLS, a single-entity structure in which the league office negotiates player contracts, opposes additional free agency rights.

The first competitive game of the year for a MLS team is Tuesday, when Columbus hosts the Mexican club Toluca in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Red Bull Arena, a $200 million, 25,000-seat stadium in Harrison, N.J., formally opens March 20 with an exhibition game between the Red Bulls and Brazil's Santos.

The league schedule opens March 25, when the expansion Philadelphia Union is at Seattle.

MLS strike possibility looms as agreement expires

(espn.go.com 2-25-10)

NEW YORK -- Major League Soccer's collective bargaining agreement was set to expire Thursday night after players balked at a third short-term extension. While the union's decision left open the possibility of the league's first strike, players said they won't walk off just yet.

The sides, whose five-year contract initially was due to expire Jan. 31, have not met since Monday's session in Washington, D.C.

"We have advised our players to keep working for the time being, but as of Friday they will be doing so without a CBA," Major League Soccer Players Union executive director Bob Foose said in a statement. "In the meantime, all options are being considered as the process continues."

MLS president Mark Abbott said last weekend that the league didn't plan to lock out players and was prepared to start the season under the terms and conditions of the old contract.

Players have sought free agent rights and more guaranteed contracts from the single-entity league, which launched in 1996 and negotiates all contracts on behalf of its teams.

"We have listened to the issues raised by the MLS Players Union and the league has made detailed proposals that have addressed these issues, including in the areas of economics, guaranteed contracts, options and the ability of a player to move to another MLS club if he is released by his current club," MLS said in a statement. "These proposals, which represent substantial changes from the current CBA, will significantly increase our spending and provide substantially more rights to the players."

Income for players averaged $147,945 at the start of last season, according to the union. But the median -- the point at which an equal amount make above and below -- was $88,000 for 323 players listed.

"While we expect that negotiations with MLS will resume at some point, there simply hasn't been enough progress made in the negotiations to date to warrant an extension of the old agreement," Foose said. "We are completely committed to forging real changes to the way MLS players are treated."

The MLS schedule begins March 25, when the expansion Philadelphia Union is at Seattle, but there are some matches before then. Columbus hosts Toluca on March 9 in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League on March 9, then plays the second leg at the Mexican club eight days later.

Red Bull Arena, a $200 million, 25,000-seat stadium in Harrison, N.J., formally opens with an exhibition game between the Red Bulls and Brazil's Santos on March 20. The Red Bulls said Thursday that Robinho, on loan to Santos from Manchester City, will be part of the travel roster along with Neymar, Giovani and Fabio Costa.

MLS willing to start season under expired contract

(espn.go.com 2-20-10)

NEW YORK -- Major League Soccer is willing to start the season under the rules of its expired labor contract.

MLS president Mark Abbott decided to go public Saturday with comments about bargaining after seeing players start to speak out a day earlier.

"We've communicated that the league doesn't have an intention of commencing a lockout," he said.

Training camps have started, and the season opener is scheduled for March 25, when the expansion Philadelphia Union is at Seattle. MLS informed the union of its decision last month, putting the onus on players to decided whether to strike for the first time.

Union executive director Bob Foose did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

"We absolutely hope they wouldn't make that decision," Abbott said.

The league's five-year labor contract expired Jan. 31, but the sides have twice extended bargaining. Talks resume Monday in Washington, and the current extension runs to Thursday.

Players were quoted in several outlets Saturday as saying little progress had been made in talks. Abbott said owners had proposed giving an additional $60 million to players during a five-year deal.

"The owners already lose money. It's a question of adding to those losses," he said.

Income for players averaged $147,945 at the start of last season, according to the union. But the median -- the point at which an equal amount make above and below -- was $88,000 for 323 players listed.

Players want increased freedom of movement within the league and don't like that most contracts are not guaranteed. In the single-entity structure of the MLS, which launched in 1996, all players sign with the league rather than individual teams.

"We have made a proposal that would guarantee a significant number of contracts, not all contracts, but a significant number of them," Abbott said. "We made a proposal that would limit the number of team-allowable options that we have in player contracts.

"To characterize the league as not taking the players' concerns seriously is just factually incorrect. What we have not made a proposal on and what the league is not prepared to do is to have free agency within the league. The league created its structure after really studying other efforts to launch professional soccer leagues in the United States, which unfortunately failed."

La Manga Cup

(metrofanatic.com 11-8-05)

While previous Obscure Metro Files looked at little known former players, this edition will take a look at an obscure tournament, La Manga Cup. Although it happened less than two years ago, many Metro fans have no idea that it occurred. But they definitely should; not only does La Manga Cup represent the only meaningful trophy won by the Metros, it can represent a whole lot more.

In their pathetic history, the Metros won all of three "titles". The first was an Eastern Conference Regular Season championship in 2000 (Metro finished ahead of THREE other teams), and we all remember the beautiful vase they got to commemorate it. You can put flowers in it and stuff. The next was the 2001 MLS Preseason Tournament, and we are sure that trophy was very nice too. And who can forget the 5:0 triumph over Dallas in the team's second game! If it had only meant something...

But this last one did. For in 2004, the MetroStars participated in La Manga Cup, a yearly tournament that has been held in Murcia, Spain, since 1999. Teams from countries with a summer season (among them Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Russia) take part. In 2004, nine teams did. The Metros were placed in Group A with two Norwegian clubs, Viking Stavanger and Bodo/Glimt.

After Bodo and Viking tied 0:0 in the opener, the MetroStars faced the Stavanger club and lost, 1:0, finishing the match with just nine players. But in their final group game, they came on top of Bodo, 3:1, behind two goals from Joselito Vaca and one from Olivier Occean (who impressed so much in the tournament that he was nabbed by Odd Grenland and never played for Metro again). With their superior goal difference, the Metros advanced to the semifinals as the best second place team. And that's when the Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev awaited them.

Kiev was coming off a Champions League campaign in which they defeated Arsenal, and played against Metro with multiple players who participated in the European run. But an Amado Guevara penalty kick and an Occean goal off a John Wolyniec feed gave Metro a two-goal first half advantage. Dinamo then answered twice. With the game tied in the 73rd minute, Kiev's defender Goran Sablic tried to block an Occean pass that ended in his own net and gave Metro the lead for good.

Now came the final, and their old foe, Viking. A 1:0 game again, but this time, it was Metro who got the upper hand, scoring on a Jeff Parke header off a corner kick in the 27th minute. Guevara was named tournament MVP. The trophy was raised high. And all rejoiced in the Spanish sun.

So it's just a preseason tournament, you say? Perhaps. But name another MLS team that won a tournament against European competition? Or one that won a tournament staged outside North America? That's right. There are none. Metro was the first. It was preseason, but so what? After ten years, why don't we try to find a ray of sunshine in this pile of crap?