MLS Commissioner Garber: Hopeful season will start on time

BOSTON (AP) - MLS Commissioner Don Garber says he's still hopeful his league's season will start on time.

The top professional soccer league in the United States hasn't been able to reach a collective bargaining agreement with its players. Opening day is a week away.

Garber spoke at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston. He says he's got his plane ticket to fly to Los Angeles to see the MLS Cup champion Galaxy play Chicago on March 6.

But first, the league and its players will try to settle their labor dispute. The last CBA expired in January, and players are asking for free agency.

Garber said the sides are scheduled to meet with a federal mediator again on Sunday.