Major League Soccer players Vote to Strike

Major League Soccer players have voted to go on strike if no new labor agreement can be agreed upon with the league before the season is due to open. The league is scheduled to open on March 25.

For several weeks now, the MLS players union and the league have been locked in restless negotiations. The previous labor agreement deal for the soccer players expired on January 31 of this year, and was extended twice, with the second extension lasting until February 25. The union has refused any further extensions, and wants a new deal.

The players have publicly stated that they will not start the season without a new deal in place and the MLS union has also confirmed this.

''Recent comments from players simply reflect the fact that the players are unified and, per the results of our strike vote, will not begin the new season if a new agreement with the league is not reached,'' MLS union executive director Bob Foose said.

''This is not a change in position by the union and should not be read to reflect in any way upon what has, or has not, occurred this week in the meetings with the mediator and the league.''