“I don’t think what’s being called ‘free agency’ is very advantageous for the players. You look at our league where guys sign one or two-year deals and then are able to go backout and test the market with any team in the world. That’s free agency, in my opinion, but they agreed to it. That’s […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Trade Central: Offseason moves
The LA Galaxy has signed 33-year-old Finnish midfielder Mika Vayrynen, who is expected to get first crack at filling the spot in midfield vacated by Marcelo Sarvas, who was traded to Colorado. Chicago Fire IN: M Collin Fernandez (Chicago Fire Acad.-HG) F Kennedy Igboananike (AIK,Sweden) D/M Joevin Jones (W Connection, Trin. & Tobago) M Michael Stephens […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Danny Cruz
“This wasn’t an easy decision. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my entire life. I told my teammates that and I stand by that. The fact that at some point in our careers as players we’regoing to be able to choose where we want to live and what’s best for us, […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
MLS: 2015 Western Conference Preview
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) Both Houston and Sporting Kansas City were successful as Westernteams and their return has toughened up an already stacked conference that boasts the 2014 Supporters Shield winner (Seattle) and MLS Cup champion (LA Galaxy). That gives the lineup a runof six straight titles — Real Salt Lake (2009), Colorado (2010), the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Former MLS players dominate MLS coaching ranks
Going into its 20th season, the previous 19 MLS titles have been won by 12 coaches. Never has a man imported to coach an MLS team won MLS Cup. The closest to that is Englishman GarySmith, who joined the Colorado Rapids to launch the Arsenal youth academy at the Rapids’ facility in 2008. He took […]
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D.C. United wins second leg but loses CCL series
Needing a three-goal victory to advance in the Concacaf Champions League, D.C. United came up short against Alajuelense Wednesday night at RFK Stadium. A goal by Jairo Arrieta latein the first half provided United with a 1-0 lead and narrowed the aggregate deficit to 5-3, but the crucial next goal was scored by the Costa […]
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MLS CBA deal: who got what? who gave up what?
An agreement in principle was reached between MLS and the MLS Players Union early Wednesday evening on a five-year collective bargaining agreement, ending the threat of the league’s first workstoppage. The historic agreement includes restricted free agency, “more movement,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber noted on Sports Center, “than weprobably thought we would provide when the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: MLS fan Jon Fish
“It’s just a little nudge from the fans to the league and the players’ union, ‘Hey guys, do what you can to make this work.’” — MLS fan Jon Fish,who had a flower arrangement sent to the mediation room, where MLS and MLS Player Union representatives were meeting in Washington to negotiate a new collective […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
MLS: 2015 Eastern Conference Preview
By Ridge Mahoney (@ridgemax) The departures of Houston and Sporting Kansas City to the WesternConference give MLS two expansion teams, in this case, Orlando City SC and New York City FC, arriving in the same season — and in the same grouping — since Portland and Vancouver joined as Westernteams in 2011. Big names abound: […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS and union headed deep into overtime
Talks between representatives of MLS and the MLS Players Union continued Wednesday as they attempted to conclude a new collective bargaining agreement to allow the 2015 season to go ahead as scheduledon Friday night. That the sides continued to bargain after reports of a potential strike vote should be taken as evidence that both sides […]