Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Union have agreed to meet next week in Washington, D.C., to continue collective bargaining agreement negotiations and have accepted the invitation of George H. Cohen, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to serve as a mediator during the discussions.

The existing CollectiveBargaining Agreement expired Feb. 25 when players refused to agree to another extension, which originally was to have run out Jan. 31.

Management and labor representatives have not metsince Feb. 22. Teams continue to prepare for the 2010 season that starts March 25. The Columbus Crew plays the first official match of the season Tuesday when it faces Toluca of Mexico in thequarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

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