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MLS players accept a deal of two halves
The league returns in April after a collective bargaining agreement was struck. But assurances on pay and bonuses came at a cost, says JAMES NALTON
Portland Timbers defender Pablo Bonilla, left, and LA Galaxy forward Cristian Pavon vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer matc
JAMES NALTON previews the Three Lions' round of 16 clash against the co-hosts in Mexico City
THE 2021 Major League Soccer season will kick off on April 17 after the league and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) came to an agreement in their latest round of labour negotiations.
The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) runs until the end of the 2027 season, and the league’s offer of no pay cuts or reduction in bonuses would have been the key leverage in getting players to agree.
These new negotiations raised the prospect of a lockout, or player strike, ahead of the 2021 season. But many players could not afford to be without the certainty of being paid in full for their work in these uncertain times.
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