Royal Roundup: Details of the new MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement revealed

Here’s your mid-week roundup of news from the soccer world.

First and foremost, since the potential lockout has been one of the more newsworthy items of the last few weeks, the details of the now ratified CBA have been revealed. It looks like both sides were able to get part of what they wanted. MLS got the 2 year extension and the players were able to get free agency reduced to age 24. [MLS]

TWO-YEAR EXTENSION WITH EXPANDED FREE AGENCY – A two-year extension of the existing agreement; the new CBA runs through 2027. . . . Starting in the 2026 season, players 24 and older with at least four years of MLS service at the end of their contracts are eligible to become free agents within MLS, providing players at an earlier stage of their careers with opportunities to negotiate with and move to different MLS clubs.

INTERNATIONAL

• The Concacaf Champions League draw will take place Wednesday night at 5 PM MST. [CCL] Orlando City’s coach Oscar Pareja will be participate as well as representatives from leagues in other countries. [CCL] Representing the USA will be Atlanta United, Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers. The Canadian team has yet to be determined as the championship match has been postponed, and will be played before the CCL begins. [MLS]
• One common feature of the English FA Cup are replays when the teams tie after both legs. The competition scrapped them after the 5th round, they still were used in earlier rounds - until last year when the pandemic forced a change. There’s now some calls being made to eliminate the replays completely. [FFT]
• Manchester United tied a FA Cup record with their 9th straight home win - a record they set back in 1912. [Goal]
• The original English FA Cup went missing in 1895, it was finally found 63 years later. Here’s the story behind what happened. [FFT]
• Two Hollywood stars, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have bought controlling interest in Welsh club Wrexham AFC. [Goal][Guardian]
• The French soccer league is asking the government for a bailout. [USAToday]

USA

• The US Open Cup has announced it’s revised schedule and format for 2021. Due to the ongoing pandemic forcing travel restrictions, the tournament is being reduced to 24 teams from 101, and only 5 rounds instead of 8. [USOC] Only 8 MLS teams will be selected, with qualifying to be determined. [MLS] It’s a major blow to amateur clubs hoping to prove themselves against stronger competition. [BG]
• The USMNT will face Northern Ireland in Belfast on March 28th. It’s expected to heavily feature a roster of those currently playing in Europe. [SBI]
• Becky Sauerbrunn has been named USWNT’s excited, but reluctant captain. [CBS]

MLS

• What ever happened to MLS’ 10 youngest players ever signed? [MLS]
• Who are the winners and losers in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement? Let’s just say that Force Majeure is still a threat for next year. [LAT]
• Here’s a look at potential opponents for MLS clubs in the CCL, several have former MLS talent. [MLS]

FLASHBACK

• RSL signs CB Rauwshan McKenzie off waivers from Sporting Kansas City. [2/10/10]
• RSL won the player lottery for Cody Arnoux. [2/11/11]
• Things haven’t really changed. Even back in 2011 we were griping about the lack of coverage for RSL. [2/10/11]
• 3 players didn’t make the final cut for RSL’s roster as preseason ends - one of them was Donny Toia. [2/10/12]
• RSL has often benefited from signing players cast-off from other teams. [2/11/13]
• There once was great hope that John Stertzer could become a key figure for RSL. [2/10/15]
• RSL lost 1-0 to the Portland Timbers in a heated preseason match. [2/11/16]

And finally a bit of humor amid all the serious news.

Bill Hinds