MLS and Players Union Agree to Continue Negotiating on New Labor Agreement Through Feb. 12
The move eliminates the possibility of a lock-out as of Sunday, when the current five-year contract expires. And it means preseason training, which for some clubs like the Galaxy and Chivas USA began this week, will continue.
Said MLS Commissioner Don Garber:
"While we still have areas of disagreement, the talks have been constructive and both parties believe it makes sense to continue to work hard to reach agreement. This extension provides both MLS and the players the opportunity to continue our discussions while clubs are in training camps preparing for the 2010 MLS season."
Said Players Union Executive Director Bob Foose:
"Both the Players Union and MLS have concluded that a new agreement will not be reached by February 1, but we have agreed to continue to talk and we will be meeting over the next two weeks to determine if a new agreement can be reached."
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
This sounds promising, for once -- and I'm not all that optimistic, as a rule. At least the parties know that a lockout would devastate the league for a very long time.