Daily news roundups

CBA updates, Union sign Ayuk and Lee, second kit unveiled, much more

Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

CBA negotiations

It is perhaps as difficult to keep track of breaking reports on the CBA negotiations as it is to have confidence that the a deal will be reached before the first game of the season on Friday. With the players having now been instructed to say nothing on record to the press, along with the threat of a fine from the league hovering over team officials and owners, what information is out there is now coming from unnamed sources. Here’s a summary of major developments:

Following up on earlier tweets, Steven Goff reported at the Washington Post, “One source said the league’s only free agency proposal involved players age 32 or older with 10 years of experience with the same club.”

One source told Goff, “It seems like [the owners] are giving up nothing of substance. They have shot down all of the players’ proposals [on free agency]. It’s shocking. The owners are almost wanting a work stoppage.”

At ESPN, Jeff Carlisle noted that proposal reported by Goff would be relative to only one player in the league, Houston Dynamo’s Brad Davis. Jeff Crandall tweeted that only 21 players in the entire history of the league would have met the reported criteria for eligibility.

Later on Tuesday night, Carlisle reported a new proposal made by the owners “provides players who are 28 years or older, and who have been in the league at least eight years but not necessarily with the same team, will ‘have the right to choose their next market’ when their contract runs out or when their option is declined.” A second source told Carlisle, “the player’s previous team will not be able to make a modified offer of a nominal salary increase to keep the player.”

Taylor Twellman tweeted of the second proposal, “Think of this: If a 15yr old player signs with @MLS (Eddie Gaven), he would have had to play until he’s 28 in @MLS to get ‘rights’.” Twellman also tweeted, “Latest #MLSCBA offer from owners DOES include a cap of only a 10% raise for that so called ‘free agent’. If player makes 50k only then 55k.”

Goff filed an update on his original story late Tuesday night: “Talks were continuing deep into the night. Little progress had been made.”

Goff tweeted on Wednesday morning, “I’m hearing #MLSCBA talks will continue today. ‘All club travel moving forward as normal.'” In other words, keep your eyes on Twitter today around lunchtime to see if Chicago Fire players board their flight to LA this morning for Friday’s season opener. Players were reportedly set to vote on whether or not to strike on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

So, progress of sorts has been made in that the owners are at least discussing some limited form of free agency, but the reported proposals are unlikely to be endorsed by the players.

Player agent Richard Motzkin said told Carlisle,

No other professional sports league in the U.S. allows their teams to hold a player’s rights in perpetuity, and I believe MLS is at a place where it likewise can and should allow the players some broader rights in this regard as part of a new CBA. Hopefully, the parties can. quickly figure out a compromise within the existing salary cap system that adequately addresses this issue since I believe a reasonable structure not only is possible, but it is the right and equitable thing for MLS to provide its longest-serving players and smart business for everyone.

More CBA coverage from Philly.comChicago Sun-Times, New York Times, Columbus Dispatch, Houston Chronicle, Toronto Sun, USA TodayNew Republic, SIDeadspinYahoo Sports, Soccer AmericaWorld Soccer TalkGoal.com, SBI, and Reuters. At Vice Sports, Jorge Arangure Jr. has a good read on the background of the lawsuit that led to the league securing single entity status.

TV partners also have an interest in the league and players union signing off on a new CBA. ESPN is scheduled to broadcast the sold out game at the Citrus Bowl between Orlando and NYCFC on Sunday. ESPN’s senior vice president of programming, Scott Guglielmino, told Philly.com’s Jonathan Tannenwald,

Obviously, we are very hopeful that the league and the players can come to an agreement and make sure that we kick things off in style this weekend,” he said. “We’re hopeful that will be the result, but [a work stoppage] is something we are certainly prepared for, and if that occurs, we’ll be prepared to react…

As things develop from the league’s perspective and the players’ perspective, we’re on standby to react accordingly. There has not been – I’m not aware of any very specific timelines as to go or no-go, but obviously we’re in constant contact with the league, and they’ve been doing a nice job of keeping us updated with the situation…

At the end of the day, I think everybody understands that as a network partner, a media partner, we want them to come to an agreement that works for both parties, and that doesn’t interrupt the opening weekend,” Guglielmino said. “We certainly think there’s some momentum with the media partners – the consistent schedule and all of the promotion that has gone into getting us here. So it would certainly be a shame if they couldn’t agree, and the start of the season were delayed. It would certainly be a missed opportunity for all of us that are involved, no question.

Philadelphia Union

Will the Union open the season at home on Saturday against Colorado? Whatever is going on with the CBA negotiations, like every other team in the league, the Union are preparing as if the season will open as scheduled.

Jim Curtin said on Tuesday, “We are preparing like we are playing the Colorado Rapids on Saturday in front of PPL. It’s an opportunity to set the tone at home. There’s always different things going on, but you’re trying to stay focused to the task at hand…We’ll do our best behind the scenes to prepare as though we’re playing.”

Curtin admitted, “It’s a little bit of a difficult week. You have guys missing with the CBA negotiations going on, a couple of players back and forth with that. But that’s the challenge that everybody’s got right now.”

Chris Albright said, “I’m optimistic. I think it’s an important time. We have good momentum going for soccer in this country, and I’m hopeful that we come to an agreement so that we can play this Saturday.”

Albright said of any roster rule changes that might arise from a new CBA, “I think we’re in a pretty good place with our roster. We’ll see what comes out of the potential agreement, and how that maybe changes some things going forward, but right now we feel comfortable where we are.”

Ethan White said, “You can’t really think about it. You never know. We could be playing Saturday. It’s our job to come here and play hard every day. You never know what’s going to happen. But whether we’re playing or not, we’ve still got to train like we’re going to play.”

At Delco Times, Matthew De George had the following player update from Tuesday’s practice:

In addition to Carroll and Cruz being absent, new striker Fernando Aristeguieta wasn’t in attendance, returning to Venezuela to sort out his visa. Albright expects the loanee from Nantes to be back Wednesday, “Thursday latest” … Conor Casey sat out the latter part of practice to have his legs worked on. It’s likely planned maintenance for 33-year-old, who started the Union’s last preseason game.

De George has more observations from Tuesday’s training session at Union Tally.

The Union announced on Tuesday the signing of trialist Eric Ayuk Mbu and SuperDraft pick Raymond Lee.

Tuesday night’s Meet the Team and jersey unveil event was postponed because of the weather but the team’s new second kit was unveiled on social media and the club website. I’m not much of a white jersey fan unless it’s for the USNT and I personally believe any embossing on a kit looks instantly dated (the embossing on the replica kit appears much less noticeable than on the authentic version). The gold stripes on the sleeves are nice, as is the center placement of the crest. The new MLS logo has really grown on me. It’s hard not to feel as if each Union jersey design since the Bethlehem Steel inspired third kit has been a major let down.

ProSoccerTalk has a season preview. “There’s a ton of optimism surrounding Philadelphia’s 2015 season, and rightly so. Curtin has essentially taken a team that missed the playoffs by seven points and added gobs of talent while not sacrificing much…This team is firmly on the bubble, and they know it, but they have a solid chance to make the playoffs for the first time in 2011 if they can put together a convincing, consistent season. A lot has to go right for them to snag a playoff spot, but they now have the talent to make that a realistic possibility.”

More previews at Vavel, Total-MLS, and Playing for 90.

Brotherly Game continues its look at the Union’s depth with an examination of defensive and central midfielders.

At MLSsoccer.com, Dave Zeitlin has a city guide for the Union. Thanks for the shoutout, Dave!

Freddy Adu linked to Swedish side Sundsvall. Whatever.

Local

Philadelphia native, and 2015 SuperDraft pick, Manolo Sanchez has signed with New York Red Bulls.

MLS

A stoppage time goal from rookie Cameron Porter after conceding a penalty kick goal in the 79th minute saw Montreal draw 1-1 with Pachuca and so advance to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals after drawing the first leg on the road, 2-2. Truly awesome stuff:

Presuming a strike is not called, DC United hosts Alajuelense in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal series tonight at 8 pm (Fox Sports 2, Univision Deportes). DC lost the first leg in Costa Rica, 5-2.

Kansas City Star reports, “Sporting Kansas City officials were in Germany over the weekend to meet with Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. But contrary to international reports, the meetings did not include a formal offer, club CEO Robb Heineman told The Star on Tuesday.”

Lots of new jerseys dropped on Tuesday in addition to the Union’s new second kit. Click on the links for a look at new kits from Columbus (both are quite nice), New England (terrible – having a small print explanation of the kit design on the kit is never a good sign and get a new crest, already), Houston (meh – gradient orange and a crisscross pattern?), NYRB (terrible – they’re more NYC than NYCFC because it says “New York” on the kit three times), Orlando (continue to do things right with their second kit), and  Portland (meh, unless you like chevrons).

Crew Stadium will now be known as “MAPFRE Stadium” after the announcement of a new sponsorship deal with MAPFRE Insurance. Never heard of them and all caps suck.

At MLSsoccer.com, Jeff Crandall looks at the evolution of supporters culture in MLS.

US

The USWNT opens play in the Algarve Cup today against Norway (2 pm: Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go). At Fox Sports, Laura Vecsey it’s time for the team to silence the critics. More on the US at the Algarve Cup at SBI and SI.

Writing at the Telegraph, Bob Williams says Jurgen Klinsmann is courting trouble by his disdain of MLS.

Elsewhere

Reuters is reporting that CONMEBOL will endorse Sepp Blatter for another term as FIFA president.

Goal.com talks to the families of the nine workers who during the preparations for he 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

A Cypriot referee is blowing the whistle on widespread corruption among match officials in Cyprus.

39 Comments

  1. I’m not super into the new jersey, nor am I into the total super subdued “tasteful” Ikeaesque MLS aesthetic after the rebrand. The who MLS monoculture uniformity is really depressing. Where are the franchises who dare to stand out? Who wants to develop their own identity beyond variations on the same supporters rhetoric. God I hate single entity soccer.

    • This is magic. Magic. There is nothing I can add to such an astute comment.

    • Obviously, single entity sucks on many levels, but it’s also what’s kept the league alive so far and prevented anyone from blowing the whole thing up ala Donald Trump/USFL.

      As for the new MLS logo, I like it a hell of a lot. It’s a lot cleaner and more professional that the old one.

      As for kits, the new ones aren’t the worst I’ve ever seen by far. There’s a lot of eye watering stuff in every league, including the PL and other big Euros. They don’t make my pulse race any faster at first glance, (I actually liked last year’s a lot), but you can’t go too wrong with all white.

    • Sadly, “standing out” by MLS uniform standards means being daring enough to have your shorts be different color than your shirts and socks (like the NE and RBNY home primary uniforms).

      The monochrome combos are really getting old. It works for Liverpool and Real Madrid because they have been doing it forever and it has become iconic for them. When everyone does it, it’s just boring and unimaginative. The new Union jersey, while uninspiring, would at least stand out from the crowd if they went with navy shorts and socks.

    • The new white jerseys aren’t bad. Not blown away by them, but they’re perfectly fine. Probably even a slight upgrade over the brighter blue road unis from the last two years. Luckily, the navy home jerseys are great and the BS black third jerseys are a classic.

      I actually like the new MLS logo too. Simple, clean, and I think it’s good that it can be modified for individual teams and events.

    • I don’t care for the “paper towel” pattern embossing down the center of the new jersey, and it’s far less appealing in general than the gorgeous outgoing powder blues – may the color swiftly return in two years’ time.
      What I really hate though is the MLS logo on both sleeves; I liked the Canadian or US flags on one, league badge on the other. It’s overkill right now.

  2. …And I bet that Pachuca defender feels like an ass for going down so easy trying to get a call.

  3. Jeremy Lane says:

    What a touch and finish by Porter for Montreal, and in such a big moment! Maybe a rookie to keep an eye on?

    • I will say, that is a quality finish but how bout the service. You know what else, it was nice to hear the fans in Montreal go ape shit bonkers too.

  4. New kit…….meh. Should just wear Bethlehem Steel away. I even like the sky blue kit better than this one………

  5. I totally mention this site every time I fill out a survey for MLS

  6. J in Section 125 says:

    Not a big fan of the new kit. Seems kind of meh, but if the team wins more games this year and plays better wearing the new kit then who am I to complain.

  7. in other news…. here’s hoping The Striker has no difficulty procuring the proper paperwork/Visa to play stateside. That would be a big kick in the balls.

    • Yeah, that little trip isn’t likely to go too smoothly. There’s a LOT of anti-American crap going down in Venezuela right now that could screw his return up big time.

    • Joe Schmo says:

      “The Striker”……I like it. Simply descriptive, and easy to spell and pronounce.

    • I’m concerned with the weather . . . Have the feeling all flights to Philly Int. will be cancelled tomorrow due to the snow. He may not be able to get here until later Friday

  8. I don’t know if I’ve ever had my fingers crossed more than I do for these CBA negotiations. This has to workout today, it just has to. The owners offers are almost insulting btw. I think most people are firmly on the players sides for the most part, unfortunately I think that matters very very little.

  9. Union 2015 slogan: “Stand For Blue,” club releases new all-white kit and tweets a pic with the caption “All white everything.” I am forever shaking my head at this club’s marketing skills (or lack thereof).

  10. I’ve said it before . . . this team should pattern it’s 2nd Jersey colors and look off Club America (another Bimbo sponsored club) The bright yellow one from a few years back was really sharp. Also the Orange GK kit needs to stay, I love that one
    .
    https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=club+america+jersey+2014

    • 2nd. Yellow is a killer color. Not Crew yellow but Napoli yellow from a few years ago with the sweet Lete logo. Trouble is the gold color in logo makes that a hard sell.
      .
      I like the Orange as well my favorite was seeing Rais in all white.

  11. OneManWolfpack says:

    I just got Verizon Fios, like 4 days ago. Which means I also now have Fox Sports 2 (albeit not in HD). I turned on the Montreal game about 5 minutes before that goal. What a pass. What control. And what a finish. I’m a obviously a Union fan, but I’m also an MLS fan, and that was just flat out awesome.
    .
    Lots of pretty decent news about the CBA. Hope they don’t fumble this at the 10 yard line (cause I don’t think they are at the goal line just yet).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*