James Riley, one of two players who are representing the Seattle Sounders in union matters, says player rights are the key issues in the ongoing negotiations with MLS on a new collective bargaining agreement. "It's absolutely absurd that a guy can finish out his four-year contract," he says, "but he has to stay in MLS. His rights are still owned by a team, but his contract's expired. Teams have to compensate another team even after the original team waives a player."

Riley added that goalie Kasey Keller, who is playing an advisory role and has been involved in player negotiations with the U.S. national and on European clubs, told him a lockout might last 2-4 weeks.

"In my mind, I truly can't see how MLS hierarchy would let this come down to that," Keller said. "It's not like we've asked for quadruple the salary cap in the economic situation the country is in."

 

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