MLS players union agrees labor deal, game resumption in sight

Rolf Feltscher (L) of the Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates his goal with teammate Romain Alessandrini (R) during MLS's Western Conference semifinals at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California, October 24, 2019. /VCG

Major League Soccer (MLS) and the league's players union reached agreement on a labor deal on Wednesday that would see players take a 5 percent pay cut for the rest of the 2020 season, clearing the way for a return to play next month following the coronavirus shutdown.

The MLS Players Association said the body had ratified a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that would run through the 2025 season.

The agreement means Major League Soccer will return next month at a tournament which will be staged at a single location at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the decision to restart at a neutral venue was intended to resume competition as soon as possible.

MLS's Western Conference semifinals at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California, October 24, 2019. /VCG

"The uncertainty forced us to come up with a plan that at least allows us to get us back in front of our fans," Garber said. "Clearly given our absence from the sports scene, it was crucial for us to get back."

All 26 MLS teams had played two of their 34 scheduled regular season games when action was suspended in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, which Garber said will deliver a 1-billion-U.S.-dollar hit to the league.

According to reports, the Orlando tournament would see each team play three group stage matches as part of the regular season before 16 teams advance to a knockout stage, which would not count toward the regular season standings.

(With input from agencies)