Keepin' it Real

Where RSL fans come to keep it real.

Archive for February 25th, 2010

MLS CBA: Who is Going to Flinch, and When?

Feb 25

Posted by kirsoccer in Collective Bargaining Agreement | 5 Comments

Players hell-bent on free agency, league unrelenting about keeping single-entity status intact – will anyone finch?

I have little insight into these labor issues, I’m just an average joe like everybody reading this.  Like many of you reading this, I was always very optimistic that this labor process would get sorted out in the late Feb, early March time-frame.  That’s looking highly unlikely at this point.

It seems to me that when I’ve seen labor disputes play themselves out in the past, it’s always a question of who is going to flinch first.  And someone inevitably does.  In many cases, there is a power differential, and you can almost predict the ultimate “winner” before the process starts, even though they still have to go through the “dance” of labor negotiations.  That power differential usually comes down to 3 aspects: public sentiment, unity of the members, and economic wherewithal to withstand a protracted dispute.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,

MLS Players strike avoided (for now)

Feb 25

Posted by truhlk in Collective Bargaining Agreement | No Comments

According to American Soccer News the MLS players Union will not be calling for a strike tonight as the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement expires. while no significant concessions have been made between the MLS and the Players Union they feel it is in their best interests to continue working toward a new CBA. The Union also doesn’t see the need to extend the current CBA beyond the deadline set for it tonight at midnight.

Read the rest of this entry »

Garth Lagerwey’s Thoughts on Luis Gil

Feb 25

Posted by kirsoccer in Garth Lagerway, Luis Gil | 4 Comments

When Real Salt Lake landed Luis Gil in a trade from the Kansas City Wizards, they acquired a player that many feel could be a significant component in the future of US Soccer.  Because Gil was able to negotiate his team preferences with the league, RSL was able to get the hot commodity for a little more than a song and a dance.  You would think the organization would be ecstatic over the result, but instead they are preaching caution to anyone who will listen.

Garth Lagerwey mentioned, “He’s a talented kid, but I think the important thing here is how is he going to adjust to being a professional?  It’s a different world. It’s a totally different environment, and we’re going to do everything we can to support him, and nurture him.  His career is going to be up to him.”

There seems to be a concerted effort to remove any pressure that may exist for Gil while he’s still a young teenager, trying to find his way in life, and in a career, “We have no expectations.  We are going to give him all of the tools that we can to help him succeed. Hopefully we can work together and develop him as a player.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ,