If you thought that all the posturing and the mudslinging in the electronic & print media would end up being a major negative on this day, there has been some form of common sense with the players union. All outlets have reported that the Players Union has decided not to strike and continue to negotiate for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with MLS.

From MLSPU executive director Bob Foose reading a prepared statement.

“Effective at midnight tonight, our collective bargaining agreement with MLS will expire. 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.”

This has become good news for all of us that wants to see our North American First Division continue to perform and to allow the positives to be celebrated like the new stadiums in Red Bull Arena & PPL Field in Chester outside of Philadelphia. The American players that will be selected for the USA World Cup Team from MLS before they head off to South Africa.

An official statement has been made by Major League Soccer after the Players Union made their’s.

“During the last year, Major League Soccer has been negotiating with the MLS Players Union on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The current CBA expires today and the players Union would not agree to a further extension.

We have told the Players Union that the League does not plan to lock out the players and we are prepared to begin the season under the current CBA while we continue to bargain to reach agreement on a new CBA.

We have listened to the issues raised by the MLS Players Union and the League has made detailed proposals that have addressed these issues, including in the areas of economics, guaranteed contracts, options and the ability of a player to move to another MLS Club if he is released by his current Club. These proposals, which represent substantial changes from the current CBA, will significantly increase our spending and provide substantially more right to the players.”

For me personally the players have made the right decision, while I do understand they want the same rights as any professional athlete playing for a professional sports club. Not just like footballers all over the world, but professional Baseball players, Hockey players, Basketball players, & NFL Football players want.

While this league has made some strides and the American player has improved, there is still a feeling and in my opinion that one wrong move can crumble this entire operation. I do understand that the players are asking for better wages and to have their services won from the highest bidder in any of the clubs that are in MLS, but at this present time I’m afraid to say that this battle must be shelved for now.

This is not to say that I am for the league, against the players or I believe single entity should remain forever. I’m just saying that till every club has their own stadium and has the financial means to remain solid and grow these annoyances must remain. I am all for reducing some of the rules or erasing them for good, but for right now the major hurdles that the players are trying to knock down must remain.

At the moment the real people who have avoided being truly effected by this has been us. Cooler heads have spoken and hopefully these negotiations will remain positive till a brand new C.B.A. happens.