Under the MLS structure, players are tied to deals with the league, not teams. The players are demanding greater free-agent rights, bigger wages and a higher percentage of guaranteed deals.
However, Toronto FC defender Nick Garcia was quoted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. as saying: “We’re anticipating not having the season starting ... As of now, for us, we’re very far apart, even with the mediator there in DC.”
“Recent comments from players simply reflect the fact that the players are unified,” added MLS Players Union executive director Bob Foose.
The MLS Players Union had accepted the offer from George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to help with negotiations and met with league representatives in Washington DC on Tuesday and Wednesday.
