The elephant in the room overshadowing every MLS conversation was the labor negotiations — and the very real chance of a work stoppage that came down to the wire. But with a collective bargaining agreement signed just two days before the season-opener, now fans can turn their attention to strikers, not strikes.
Wednesday night’s CBA agreement may have left many players feeling vexed, but it got them at least limited free agency, raises and saved MLS’ 20th season from being delayed — or dashed altogether. Instead, the league will kick off with a better television deal, two star-studded expansion teams and an influx of talent.
The joint deal with ESPN, FOX Sports and Univision will bring in $90 million annually, more than tripling the last contract. With set times — Friday night on UniMas and Sunday doubleheaders on ESPN and FOX — the league finally has some stability to go with slow, steady growth.
One need look no further than this season’s expansion. New York City FC will give the league two teams in its biggest market, give the Red Bulls a cross-river rival, and will kick off Sunday at fellow debutant Orlando City SC.
In some ways, the two expansion sides couldn’t be more different. In a crowded market, NYCFC fetched a princely expansion fee of $100 million from partners Manchester City and the Yankees. Orlando City nurtured support as a USL Pro team before making the leap.
With 62,000 expected at the opener in the Citrus Bowl, Champions League and World Cup champ David Villa playing for NYCFC and former FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka leading Orlando, it’s a pretty compelling advertisement for the league and its growth.
MLS lost icons Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan to retirement, but won’t skip a beat after replacing them with a host of new stars. Villa, Kaka and Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco (Italy) all will have suited up on opening weekend, while NYCFC’s Frank Lampard and the Galaxy’s Steven Gerrard — both on England’s last World Cup team — arrive in the summer.
And that doesn’t even include the massive migration of U.S. National Team players to MLS, from Jozy Altidore joining fellow New Jerseyan Michael Bradley up in Toronto to Mix Diskerud at NYCFC, Sacha Kljestan with the Red Bulls, Juan Agudelo in New England and Brek Shea in Orlando.
MLS Cup Contenders
L.A. Galaxy
The defending champ — who have won three titles in four years — lost Landon Donovan (13 goals, 21 assists), but they still have star striker Robbie Keane, rising homegrown stud Gyasi Zardes (19 goals), winning DNA and Gerard arriving in the summer.
Seattle Sounders FC
After winning four of the past six U.S. Cup titles and last year’s Supporters’ Shield, this could be the year the Sounders finally break through with an MLS Cup. Why? They already had MLS’ top strike duo in Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, and now they added one of its top GMs in ex-Real Salt Lake architect Garth Lagerwey.
New England Revolution
Jay Heaps had his Revolution in last year’s MLS Cup final, but a full season of U.S. National Team standout Jermaine Jones and the addition of Juan Agudelo could see this loaded roster back for an encore.