CBA negotiations stalling, MLS players take to Twitter to speak out about low wages and free agency

Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Union have been in CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) negotiations for months, but little progress has been made.

Players seem to be holding their ground on two main issues - salaries and free agency. They're upset with the current structure and they're speaking out.

I took a crack at talking about the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement situation. http://t.co/CnYMK0gmvS
— Bobby Warshaw (@bwarshaw14) January 16, 2015

(Warshaw: "You guys, you just made $4 million on the advertisement I wear across my chest, I shouldn't have to ask five times to get my $500 moving expenses reimbursed.")

With only 38 days left until the 2015 season begins the players hold all the leverage, and based on what they're saying and posting to social media, a strike seems imminent.

Former MLSer Bobby Warshaw told us why he thinks MLS may be headed for a work stoppage. Here's what some of the current players think.

Gonzalez says MLS players “are prepared to go on strike” if new CBA can’t be agreed to before 2015 season starts in March.
— Doug McIntyre (@DougMacESPN) January 20, 2015

I wonder if Giovinco knows that he will literally make more money in 2 days than some of his teammates will the entire year @MLS
— Harry Shipp (@championShipp11) January 20, 2015

Just asked Michael Bradley if free agency was an issue worth striking over in current CBA negotiations. "Absolutely." #mls #tfc
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) January 22, 2015

I agree completely with Michael Bradley. It is time that #MLS must have free agency
— Álvaro Saborío (@al_saborio) January 22, 2015

MLSPU: "We remain very far apart on important issues." #MLS http://t.co/afP6QEzCis pic.twitter.com/svP6XzUIk1
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) January 22, 2015

After being a part of the #CBA talks last time, I get a real sense this group of players is ready/confident enough to strike 4 FreeAgency.
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) January 22, 2015

Orlando City GK Tally Hall goes in depth on MLS CBA talks. Does no free agency mean work stoppage? Bluntly: "Yes." http://t.co/YQIAGeFwne
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) January 23, 2015

.@ToddDunivant: "Free agency has to be in this deal for the players to play on opening day." #Unity2015 http://t.co/IgooClPKRV
— MLS Players Union (@MLSPlayersUnion) January 24, 2015

The thought of having to fight for players who bled for and built MLS to simply get paid what they're worth is embarrassing #FreeAgency
— Mike Magee (@magee9) January 27, 2015

#SJEarthquakes players union rep Clarence Goodson talks #MLS CBA negotiations: "We are certainly prepared to strike." http://t.co/K6qkV3XmbD
— Robert Jonas (@robertjonas) January 27, 2015

A few more words from Warshaw on wages earned...
 

Full quotes from U20 U.S. men's national team coach Tab Ramos following win over El Salvador (Highlights included)

The U-20 U.S. men's national team qualified for the World Cup after beating El Salvador 2-0 in a must-win knockout game Saturday night. Goals were scored by Ben Spencer and Paul Arriola.

After the game head coach Tab Ramos spoke about the team. Here's a recap of what he had to say.

On the team's performance...

"It's difficult to win four games in a row, especially having to eliminate and opponent every single game. The boys did a great job. I feel good for them because we pushed them really hard over the last week-and-a-half, especially for the last four games, and they did a really great job so I'm happy for them."

On Saturday's game vs El Salvador...

"El Salvador defended really well. They were similar to Guatemala and the way they defended, so we knew that it was going to take time to break them down. We ended up getting a couple of really good opportunities to score early on and we didn't put them away, and we kept them in the game. We knew that eventually we would break them down and I was confident that we would do well.

On the two goals vs El Salvador...

"We're happy we got a couple goals, but as you know we're leading the tournament in shots, so we've created a lot. We actually have not scored enough and we have not been good in front of the goal in general. At least today we got two. Defensively we've been excellent so I'm very happy with that."

On goalkeeper Zack Steffen's save on the penalty...

"I actually thought that he might save it. We practiced penalty kicks yesterday and [Zack] did really well on them. We're fortunate that in the U.S. we always have excellent goalkeepers. I was actually counting on that one so I'm glad he saved it."

On the team coming back from a poor start to the tournament...

"We had to because that surprise tie against Guatemala forced us to play different against Panama - where the tie wouldn't have been good for us - so we took a risk and by taking a risk the last 20 minutes of that game we lost it and felt way behind. But, I think it was a good decision considering Panama won all their games anyway so a tie wouldn't have been good. At this point I'm very happy with the team. I'm happy for them and I'm happy we're going to another World Cup."

On finally being able to relax a bit...

"I definitely need a few days off that's for sure."

New Zealand here we come! #1N1T pic.twitter.com/REZqFg2Hf1
— U.S. Soccer YNT (@ussoccer_ynt) January 25, 2015

The entire 2015 MLS Schedule (340 games) in one image

The 2015 MLS schedule has been released. But rather than constantly checking the schedule page over and over again to see what the matchups are each week, I've created a spreadsheet condensing everything into one simple image.

I did it last season for MLS Fantasy owners, and despite leaving MLSsoccer.com, I've decided to do it again. Enjoy and best of luck in 2015!