By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 20 – The new Major League Soccer (MLS) season will kick-off as planned in the United States next week after a deal – reached with the help of Landon Donovan (pictured) – was hammered-out to prevent the players going out on strike.
The MLS and MLS Players Union (MLSPU) announced that they had reached an agreement today – just five days before the season was due to begin.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber and MLSPU executive director Bob Foose revealed that they have reached agreement in principle on the terms of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering five seasons, commencing with the 2010 season and continuing through until December 31, 2014.
MLSPU members had voted for strike action to begin at the start of the League’s 15th season next Thursday if the talks had not produced a new CBA.
The previous CBA had expired at the end of the 2009 season with players’ representatives demanding more freedom of movement within MLS and guaranteed contracts among other things.
“The Union is happy with this agreement as it addresses the core issue of players’ rights and we look forward to working co-operatively with the League going forward,” said Foose.
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Donovan had joined the talks following his return to the US at the end of his successful loan spell with Premier League Everton.
“We have a deep appreciation for the commitment shown by the owners both historically and through this process to make MLS one of the top leagues in the world,” he said.
Gaber had been desperate to reach a deal as he was fearful that a strike could stunt the development of the League, which will already have to do for a while without its best-known player, David Beckham, following his serious injury earlier this week while on loan at AC Milan.
“This new agreement allows us to work with our players to continue our mutual efforts to build the sport of soccer in North America,” said Garber.
“We worked hard during the past few months to develop a new agreement that addressed many of the players’ most important issues and look forward to a meaningful and productive new relationship over the next five years.”
The new MLS season is set to kick off on Thursday (March 25) when new club Philadelphia Union travels to the Seattle Sounders before the other 14 clubs begin their campaigns next weekend.
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