El Salvador players go on strike

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Mar 19, 2009

[WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING] Less than two weeks before it hosts the United States in the Hexagonal, El Salvador has been rocked by a player strike. Twenty-three of 24 players -- all but U.S. resident Edwin Miranda -- walked out of training on Tuesday afternoon to protest the non-payment of bonuses for having qualified for the Hexagonal, the final round of qualifying.

The players attended the first of two practices scheduled for Tuesday in San Salvador and then left their hotel to return to their league clubs.

El Salvador's Mexican coach Carlos de los Cobos called the situation "lamentable." El Salvador President Elias Antonio Saca, a big soccer fan, was reportedly ready to see how to resolve the dispute.

The Salvadoran federation had reportedly set aside $800,000 to cover the expenses of World Cup qualifying.

The El Salvador-USA game will take place March 28 in San Salvador. El Salvador opened at home against Trinidad & Tobago and rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to tie the Soca Warriors, 2-2, on two late goals.