NEW YORK - Major League Soccer and its players have signed a five-year labor contract that avoids a strike scheduled for next week.
The MLS Players Union had said it would strike if an agreement wasn't reached before March 25, when the expansion Philadelphia Union are to open the league schedule at Seattle.
Negotiators began intensive talks Thursday in Washington, D.C. A deal was signed shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday.
"We are very pleased to have reached agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the MLS Players Union," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "This new agreement allows us to work with our players to continue our mutual efforts to build the sport of soccer in North America. We worked hard during the past few months to develop a new agreement that addressed many of the players' most important issues and look forward to a meaningful and productive new relationship over the next five years."
Major League Soccer's 15th season kicks off March 25 when the expansion Philadelphia Union travel to Seattle to take on Sounders FC in a nationally televised match. The other 14 MLS clubs are in action on March 26 and 27.
To add a comment, please register or login.