Well there have been a lot of nervous people all around MLS and soccer in the US today waiting to see what would come of the CBA talks, well nothing, zip, nada. The league stated earlier that they would not lockout the players if no agreement was reached, and they were willing to move forward into the season using the expired CBA until a new one can be finalized.
"Effective at midnight tonight, our collective bargaining agreement with MLS will expire," MLSPU executive director Bob Foose said. "While we expect that negotiations with MLS will resume at some point, there simply hasn't been enough progress made in the negotiations to date to warrant an extension of the old agreement. We have advised our players to keep working for the time being, but as of Friday they will be doing so without a CBA. In the meantime, all options are being considered as the process continues. We are completely committed to forging real changes to the way MLS players are treated."
So we move forward for now without any type of agreement, I hope both sides sit down and give serious consideration to what the future of MLS and the sport should be in the US, and to some extent Canada.
Another shot for Robbie Findley
Today Bob Bradley announced his roster for next week's US vs. Netherlands friendly (3-3-10 12:30 MST on ESPN2) and to the surprise of some Real Salt Lake's Robbie Findley was on the list as one of 3 strikers. I believe this is Bob giving him a shot to play with the European based players to see if he fits in with them.
Here is the complete roster for the US:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (7): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (7): DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (3): Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)
OFF MY SOAPBOX