[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ajor League Soccer announced late Wednesday night that the owners and MLS Players Union have reached an agreement in principle on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement.
This news means the 20th season for MLS will kickoff without a hitch Friday as the Chicago Fire travel to the west coast to face the defending champions in LA Galaxy.
Terms of the agreement will cover the next five seasons starting with the 2015 campaign through 2019.
“We are pleased to finalize the framework for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with our players,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a press release Wednesday night. “This agreement will provide a platform for our players, ownership and management to work together to help build Major League Soccer into one of the great soccer leagues in the world.”
Bob Foose, Executive Director of the MLS Players Union expressed his feelings on the agreement.
“We are pleased to announce that we have reached a new collective bargaining agreement with the league,” said Foose. “We are pleased to finally turn our fans attention back to our players and the competition on the field as we get started on the 2015 season.”
These sentiments are felt throughout the league, with players, coaches and front offices eager to hear the news. Pit and PRS correspondent Brent Hawk mentioned Tuesday during Columbus Crew SC’s jersey celebration event that the general sentiment among the players and staff in attendance is that of wanting this to get finished so the game can take the spotlight.
Following Wednesday’s news on the agreement, Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter expressed his pleasure in the news as the Black & Gold look to build upon last year’s momentum.
“This is great news for soccer fans across North America. We are excited to start the season and are grateful for the hard work put in by both parties in their efforts to reach an agreement,” Berhalter said through a press release sent by the Crew SC front office.
Crew SC midfielder and club representative for the players union Ethan Finlay commented that the players are excited to turn the focus back to the action on the field.
“We are pleased to have reached a new five year collective bargaining agreement with the League. The players are excited to turn our focus back to the field.”
Columbus Crew SC begin the 2015 campaign on the road as the club looks to earn an early win against the Houston Dynamo Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Crew SC will return to Columbus March 14 to host Toronto FC in the newly renamed MAPFRE Stadium.
