MLS owners, players reach new deal to avoid strike

They didn't go to the brink of a strike, but they sure came close.

Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Union announced Saturday that marathon negotiations yielded a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement, allowing the upcoming MLS season to be played as scheduled.

The players had planned to strike Monday if no new deal was reached. The expansion Philadelphia Union will open the 2010 season at Seattle Sounders FC on Thursday night, and the Fire opens New York's new stadium Saturday.

Because the two sides signed the new CBA just minutes before their noon Central time conference call announcing the agreement, they were not ready to divulge many details. They agreed that the players will receive more money, greater rights and greater ability to move if their contracts are terminated, their contract options are not exercised or they're out of contract.

The "elephant in the room," according to MLS commissioner Don Garber, was free agency. The solution to the free-agency question was a "re-entry draft" for eligible players.

The negotiations over the past few days ranged deep into the night, with 25 player representatives from the 16 teams sitting through hours and hours of negotiations.

"I've never seen a group of players that have been more focused, more committed, more knowledable about the issues," Garber said.

The owners' main concern was maintaining a strong business model. Though the league has grown substantially since its start in 1996, Garber said only two teams - Toronto and Seattle - are profitable.

"I think if the players didn't recognize that, we wouldn't have had a deal," Garber said.

"The best Collective Bargaining Agreements involve compromise on both sides, and you don't walk away from those with everything you want. Nobody does," said union executive director Bob Foose. "- As a whole we are certainly very pleased with the agreement that has been struck."

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan, who was in on the negotiations the past couple of days, said the players and owners strengthened their relationship because of the negotiations.

The Fire's scrimmage against Notre Dame on Saturday was canceled due to snow. Tickets remain available for Wednesday's preseason luncheon at Swissotel Chicago. The team's home opener is April 10 against San Jose.