On Tuesday morning, with less than a week to go, MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement talks appeared to be breaking down with the players at the point of walking away.  All reports coming from the players’ camp through Twitter hint that MLS and team owners were refusing to budge on the free agency issue.  The players are supposedly making concessions in attempts to pass a new CBA, but MLS has refused every offer. @SoccerByIves got this little bit of info out during the afternoon, "CBA talks sounding nightmarish. Owners not budging. One player at #MLSCBA talks told me “Hope your Orlando flight is refundable” #NoBueno" To further complicate matters, Steven Goff of the Washington Post tweeted "Says well-placed source: 'It's shocking. Almost as if owners want a work stoppage. They see players as incidental to MLS' growth'."

The ownership groups and MLS are likely not expecting the players to be able to hold out during a strike for very long due to financial concerns and therefore thought the bullish approach with the line in the sand being no free agency would work.  From MLSPU’s side, free agency or more player control over where they play was the only demand that wasn’t negotiable and they will do everything they have to gain their freedom. 

If a strike occurs and MLSPU decides to walk away, the next few months will see the start of a major legal battle.  The MLS single entity structure will be called into question and possibly broken apart. Other key players from other labor disputes might also be signing on to help the MLSPU with the legal battle, and there are rumors that other professional sporting player's unions may join the efforts.

To make matters worse, MLSSoccer.com has gone to almost total silence on the issue.  As they count down the start of the 20th MLS regular season, they appear to be ignoring the elephant in the room.  Only one owner has spoken publicly about the issue and he was later fined by the league.  Without much input from the league, fans are free to assume whatever they wish, but the current stance by MLS is one that does not come across as favorable to many fans.

Now with the deadline drawing near, perhaps as early as overnight into Wednesday morning, MLS may be making concessions.  All the information fans can get is coming from Twitter and it is partial quotes and feelings.  @CamTucker_Metro got a quote from Vancouver Whitecaps defender Stephen Beitashour out to the community, "#WhitecapsFC Beitashour. "We're getting down to the wire. Both parties aren't going to be 100 per cent happy..." #VWFC" while @jorgearangure Tweeted "Asked Source if we'll see FA in new CBA. Response: Yes. But only if they accept now. If they strike, FA will likely be pulled off the table" so maybe MLS is willing to give something if MLSPU caves to other demands.  

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About the author
Blayne Riffle
I am a KC native, living away from my true home. I do IT for a living. But I have always been an avid soccer fan and follow many other sports. Obviously there is some KC bias.