Archive for the 'MLS' Category

Mar 12

MLS Players Vote to Strike, League Has Some Decisions to Make

MLS, Soccer tyduffy 36 Comments »

MLS Players voted 350-2 to strike without a new collective bargaining agreement by March 25, the start of the MLS season. The last CBA expired on Feb 25. Negotiations are currently under third-party mediation. If the players are serious, MLS owners will be forced to make decisions that could radically affect the league’s future.

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Feb 25

Crisis Averted: MLS Players Decide Not to Strike

MLS, Soccer tyduffy 245 Comments »

National crisis averted. The MLS Players Union decided not to strike, at least right now. MLS pledged not to lockout the players. Despite no Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLS season should begin as scheduled. They players had no leverage. The detente should surprise no one. It’s not a victory for soccer fans. It’s a victory for players and owners.

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Jan 28

MLS and Players Union Negotiating to Avoid Lockout, Expect Players to Cave

MLS, Soccer tyduffy 17 Comments »

MLS and its Players Union resumed negotiations yesterday on a new collective bargaining agreement. The current deal expires Jan 31. Without a new one, MLS could lock out the players starting Feb 1. An extended work stoppage could be disastrous for the league and potentially for the U.S. World Cup squad. Since they have little leverage, expect the players to cave. UPDATE: MLS and the Players Union have extended the deadline for negotiations through Feb 12.  Players will report to training camp as scheduled.

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Nov 22

MLS Cup Final: Beckham, Donovan, Some Other Guys You’ve Never Heard Of

Beckhamania, MLS, Soccer, Video tyduffy 6 Comments »

Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy face off in the MLS Cup Final tonight in frigid, rainy Seattle.  It’s on ESPN at 8:30 ET/5:30 PT, so if you don’t like Curb Your Enthusiasm and you need an alternate for the three hours plus that nothing is happening on the NFL field, check it out.  Here are a few factors to consider. Read the rest of this entry »

Oct 20

Attendance Declines Don’t Spell Doom For MLS

MLS, Soccer tyduffy 37 Comments »

MLS proponents tout the glittering jewels, Seattle and Toronto.  The two newest teams seat more than 20,000 fans per game and play at 90 percent capacity.  (They also have a great motor, freakish athleticism and love to play the game.)  The success of these clubs impresses, but it shrouds declines of around 20 percent for established entities, such as LA Galaxy, DC United, the New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls.  Fortunately for MLS, those numbers don’t forecast doom.

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Oct 07

MLS Does Have Parity, But Isn’t Entertaining

MLS, Soccer tyduffy 13 Comments »

397px-taylortwellman_2006_mls_cupMLS commissioner Don Garber believes his league’s financial controls should be a “blueprint” for European leagues to become more stable.  He argues that strict spending limits will make leagues more stable and more competitive, with parity as the ultimate goal.

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Oct 05

Onion Bag: A Real Upset and The Joy of Cesc

Beckhamania, MLS, Soccer, Video, WAG tyduffy 21 Comments »

Spanish-star Raul may be fading into senescence, but his wife, Mamen Sanz, still performs at a high level. (CORRECTION: That’s actually Gianluca Zambrotta’s wife.  It was perhaps a “fortuitous” mistake.  Blame Google images.)

Real Upset: Led by perpetually homesick Jesus Navas, Sevilla upset Ronaldo-less Real Madrid 2-1.  Los Rojiblancos dominated Madrid’s shambolic defense, with a persistent barrage that stretched Ray Hudson’s metaphorical mind.  If Iker Casillas was not such a manimal minding the net, Sevilla would have scored four or five.  Why is Raul still in the squad against good teams?  Barcelona beat Almeria 1-0 thanks to a Pedro cracker.  They now are three points clear at the top. Read the rest of this entry »

Prime Time, But on Cable: ESPN will show the Nov. 22 MLS Cup Final at 8:30 P.M. ET.  It’s the first time the final won’t be on network television.  The game is in Seattle.  MLS hopes the later start time will allow fans to fuel up on elitist coffee and be more festive.  We’re still wondering why it’s scheduled on an NFL Sunday. (SBJ) (9)
Beckham to Montreal: David Beckham has a contract clause allowing him to operate an MLS franchise.  He and Simon Fuller may be investing in an expansion franchise in Montreal.  Montreal has drown huge crowds for soccer in the past.  Team could begin as early as 2012. (Goal) (7)
Competition: MLS could face competition from another domestic soccer league.  Eight professional clubs in United Soccer Leagues, the organization controlling American soccer from the second-tier downward, are threatening to leave USL to form their own league.  The league would strive for a private ownership model, rather than an MLS-style collective.  It would feature teams in cities – such as St. Louis, Montreal, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Miami – where MLS does not have a club. (Reuters) (13)
Sep 02

MLS Could Face Domestic Challenge From Rival Soccer League

1-liner, MLS, Soccer tyduffy 13 Comments »

Competition: MLS could face competition from another domestic soccer league.  Eight professional clubs in United Soccer Leagues, the organization controlling American soccer from the second-tier downward, are threatening to leave USL to form their own league.  The league would strive for a private ownership model, rather than an MLS-style collective.  It would feature teams in cities – such as St. Louis, Montreal, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Miami – where MLS does not have a club. (Reuters)

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