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San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
MLS players' union says dispute over Club World Cup compensation is ongoing
Major League Soccer and its players' union remain at odds over compensation for the players with the three MLS teams taking part in the Club World Cup. The Seattle Sounders, LAFC and Inter Miami are the only MLS clubs among the 32 teams playing in the Club World Cup, which starts Saturday. Each team will earn $9.55 million as a club for participating in the tournament, with a chance to win additional prize money based on performance. The Major League Soccer Players Association said Sunday that the league issued a proposal Friday that did not include any additional participation bonuses for the players and offered 'below-standard' back-end compensation. The union also said the league asked for unrelated concessions to the collective bargaining agreement. Currently, there is a provision of the collective bargaining agreement that caps the amount of prize money that can go to players at $1 million. The MLSPA believes the players are entitled to a bigger share of the funds. 'The timing, substance and retaliatory nature of the proposal sends a clear message: MLS does not respect or value players' efforts with regard to this tournament,' the MLSPA said in statement Sunday. 'Although not surprised, the players and the MLSPA are deeply disappointed by this message.' Major League Soccer issued a statement Sunday to clarify its position. 'As the Seattle Sounders FC, Inter Miami CF, and the Los Angeles Football Club prepare to compete in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, Major League Soccer has agreed to voluntarily provide additional performance-based compensation to players from the three participating clubs,' the league said. 'MLS has proposed an enhanced structure for the Club World Cup to reward both participation and competitive achievement in the tournament. In addition to the guaranteed $1 million per team for qualifying, 20 percent of all prize money earned from the group stage onward would be allocated to players. If an MLS club wins the Club World Cup, its players could collectively receive more than $24 million in performance bonuses.' The statement went on to say that MLS owners believe that performance-based incentives are appropriate given the expanded format and increased prize pool for the tournament. 'The League values the continued dedication and commitment of its players and looks forward to supporting them as they represent their clubs -- and Major League Soccer -- on the global stage this summer.' The talks between the two sides were ongoing. Last weekend, the Seattle Sounders called attention to the issue by wearing T-shirts before a match that read 'Club World Cup Ca$h Grab.' On Sunday, a number of players posted the hashtag #FairShareNow, including Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei and LAFC center back Aaron Long. 'The players remain unified in using their collective voice and demanding a fair share of the rewards earned from their hard work,' the union said. ___
Hamilton Spectator
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
MLS players' union says dispute over Club World Cup compensation is ongoing
Major League Soccer and its players' union remain at odds over compensation for the players with the three MLS teams taking part in the Club World Cup. The Seattle Sounders, LAFC and Inter Miami are the only MLS clubs among the 32 teams playing in the Club World Cup, which starts Saturday. Each team will earn $9.55 million as a club for participating in the tournament, with a chance to win additional prize money based on performance. The Major League Soccer Players Association said Sunday that the league issued a proposal Friday that did not include any additional participation bonuses for the players and offered 'below-standard' back-end compensation. The union also said the league asked for unrelated concessions to the collective bargaining agreement. Currently, there is a provision of the collective bargaining agreement that caps the amount of prize money that can go to players at $1 million. The MLSPA believes the players are entitled to a bigger share of the funds. 'The timing, substance and retaliatory nature of the proposal sends a clear message: MLS does not respect or value players' efforts with regard to this tournament,' the MLSPA said in statement Sunday. 'Although not surprised, the players and the MLSPA are deeply disappointed by this message.' Major League Soccer issued a statement Sunday to clarify its position. 'As the Seattle Sounders FC, Inter Miami CF, and the Los Angeles Football Club prepare to compete in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, Major League Soccer has agreed to voluntarily provide additional performance-based compensation to players from the three participating clubs,' the league said. 'MLS has proposed an enhanced structure for the Club World Cup to reward both participation and competitive achievement in the tournament. In addition to the guaranteed $1 million per team for qualifying, 20 percent of all prize money earned from the group stage onward would be allocated to players. If an MLS club wins the Club World Cup, its players could collectively receive more than $24 million in performance bonuses.' The statement went on to say that MLS owners believe that performance-based incentives are appropriate given the expanded format and increased prize pool for the tournament. 'The League values the continued dedication and commitment of its players and looks forward to supporting them as they represent their clubs — and Major League Soccer — on the global stage this summer.' The talks between the two sides were ongoing. Last weekend, the Seattle Sounders called attention to the issue by wearing T-shirts before a match that read 'Club World Cup Ca$h Grab.' On Sunday, a number of players posted the hashtag #FairShareNow, including Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei and LAFC center back Aaron Long. 'The players remain unified in using their collective voice and demanding a fair share of the rewards earned from their hard work,' the union said. The Club World Cup features an expanded field of club teams from around the globe and will be played across 11 U.S. cities. ___ AP soccer:
Fox Sports
11 hours ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
MLS players' union says dispute over Club World Cup compensation is ongoing
Associated Press Major League Soccer and its players' union remain at odds over compensation for the players with the three MLS teams taking part in the Club World Cup. The Seattle Sounders, LAFC and Inter Miami are the only MLS clubs among the 32 teams playing in the Club World Cup, which starts Saturday. Each team will earn $9.55 million as a club for participating in the tournament, with a chance to win additional prize money based on performance. The Major League Soccer Players Association said Sunday that the league issued a proposal Friday that did not include any additional participation bonuses for the players and offered 'below-standard' back-end compensation. The union also said the league asked for unrelated concessions to the collective bargaining agreement. Currently, there is a provision of the collective bargaining agreement that caps the amount of prize money that can go to players at $1 million. The MLSPA believes the players are entitled to a bigger share of the funds. 'The timing, substance and retaliatory nature of the proposal sends a clear message: MLS does not respect or value players' efforts with regard to this tournament,' the MLSPA said in statement Sunday. 'Although not surprised, the players and the MLSPA are deeply disappointed by this message.' Major League Soccer issued a statement Sunday to clarify its position. 'As the Seattle Sounders FC, Inter Miami CF, and the Los Angeles Football Club prepare to compete in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, Major League Soccer has agreed to voluntarily provide additional performance-based compensation to players from the three participating clubs,' the league said. 'MLS has proposed an enhanced structure for the Club World Cup to reward both participation and competitive achievement in the tournament. In addition to the guaranteed $1 million per team for qualifying, 20 percent of all prize money earned from the group stage onward would be allocated to players. If an MLS club wins the Club World Cup, its players could collectively receive more than $24 million in performance bonuses.' The statement went on to say that MLS owners believe that performance-based incentives are appropriate given the expanded format and increased prize pool for the tournament. 'The League values the continued dedication and commitment of its players and looks forward to supporting them as they represent their clubs -- and Major League Soccer -- on the global stage this summer.' The talks between the two sides were ongoing. Last weekend, the Seattle Sounders called attention to the issue by wearing T-shirts before a match that read 'Club World Cup Ca$h Grab.' On Sunday, a number of players posted the hashtag #FairShareNow, including Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei and LAFC center back Aaron Long. 'The players remain unified in using their collective voice and demanding a fair share of the rewards earned from their hard work,' the union said. The Club World Cup features an expanded field of club teams from around the globe and will be played across 11 U.S. cities. ___ AP soccer: recommended
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
LAFC, Club América are anticipating their 'massive' play-in match to join Club World Cup field
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud has won the World Cup and UEFA Champions League during his decorated career, yet even Los Angeles FC's famed French striker is impressed by the extraordinary nature of the stakes when his team hosts Club América on Saturday night. The winner of this one-game play-in match gets the final spot in the FIFA Club World Cup and the remarkable chance for a North American team to face world soccer powers in the biggest-ever edition of this summer competition. 'To get the opportunity to play that kind of competition is a big chance for the boys,' Giroud said. 'We need to grab the opportunity.' What's more, the winning team at BMO Stadium will be guaranteed at least $9.55 million for its Club World Cup berth, along with a shot at nearly $100 million from the tournament's biggest-ever prize pool of nearly $1 billion. Even the setting is tantalizing: Thanks to equal ticket distribution, LAFC's sold-out arena will be packed with raucous supporters of both the home team and the biggest professional club in Mexico. Los Angeles' passion for all forms of Mexican soccer is famously rabid, and América has legions of Southern California fans. No wonder the players and coaches involved are expecting a career-defining experience in this big-money match. 'It's massive,' LAFC center back Aaron Long said. 'I think the stakes are probably as high as it can get. Two titans of North America battling it out. I'm sure BMO will be on a different level. I'm sure fans from both sides are going to be going all-in, giving 100%. If you're a fan, these are the games you want to go and see. It's going to be incredible.' The Club World Cup includes 32 teams for the first time, and it is being held across the U.S. one year before the FIFA World Cup returns to North America. Two Major League Soccer clubs and two Liga MX clubs have already qualified for the event, and LAFC or América will join them based on the results of this one match. Giroud has done just about everything in world soccer — except this. Chelsea won the Champions League with Giroud in 2021 to earn a Club World Cup spot, but Giroud left for AC Milan before it happened. 'This is the kind of match you need to play at 110%,' Giroud said. 'I've never played in it. It could be nice to meet Chelsea again, but obviously it will be a massive game (first).' Indeed, the winner of the play-in match will face Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Tunisia's ES Tunis in group play. LAFC and América got this opportunity after FIFA disqualified León because of its rules against participation by multiple clubs owned by the same entity. León and fellow Liga MX qualifier Pachuca are owned by the same group, and León lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after attempting to change its ownership structure. The decision was only finalized 3 1/2 weeks ago, necessitating this quick one-game playoff for the final spot. The matchup will also serve as an informal referendum on the usually friendly competition between MLS and Liga MX for unofficial recognition as North America's top professional league. LAFC and América already met in a preseason friendly in Los Angeles this year, but the play-in is a different animal. 'I believe this game will be prepared like a final,' said LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, another World Cup champion. 'It's going to be interesting to face one of the best Mexican clubs, and it's going to be tough, challenging, but it's also what you play football for,' Lloris added. 'When I signed for LAFC, I didn't expect to have this type of opportunity. I know that in life and in football, when you have this kind of opportunity, you have to do everything to take it.' LAFC has enjoyed steady success since its MLS debut in 2018, winning the MLS Cup playoff championship in 2022 and earning two Supporters' Shields for the best regular-season record. LAFC is unbeaten in eight matches since a CONCACAF Champions League qualifier loss to Club World Cup invitee Inter Miami last April. América is generally considered both the most popular and the most decorated club in Mexico, and Las Águilas have been on top of Liga MX for much of the previous three seasons. Their Brazilian coach, André Jardine, attracted international praise while his team won three straight titles before losing the Clausura final to Toluca last Sunday night, falling just short of becoming only the second team in Mexico's history to win four consecutive championships. ___ AP soccer:
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
WATCH: Lionel Messi brace sends Inter Miami to CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals
Inter Miami CF secured a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals series on Wednesday, advancing 3-2 on aggregate. The dramatic win at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, saw Lionel Messi play a pivotal role, scoring twice and providing an assist to propel the Herons into the semifinals. LAFC took an early lead in the 9th minute, with Aaron Long scoring a right-footed finish from the centre of the box following a corner kick. However, Messi equalised for Miami in the 35th minute, converting a left-footed shot into the top right corner from the edge of the box. In the 61st minute, Noah Allen's strike gave Inter Miami the lead, levelling the aggregate score at 2-2. Messi completed his brace in the 84th minute, converting a penalty to seal the comeback and send Miami into the next round. Inter Miami goalkeeper Óscar Ustari played a key role in the closing moments, recording seven saves to help secure the win. The victory marked the club's first-ever semifinal appearance in the tournament. Inter Miami CF has now won all three of its home Concacaf Champions Cup matches against MLS opposition, advancing in each tie. Aaron Long became the first defender to score two goals for an MLS team in the Concacaf Champions Cup since Alexander Callens for New York City FC in 2019. Messi has been involved in at least one goal in 18 of his 19 home appearances for Inter Miami in all competitions since 2024, recording 34 goal involvements (21 goals, 13 assists). Messi has now contributed to multiple goals in a match during the knockout rounds of a continental championship (UEFA Champions League & Concacaf Champions Cup) 18 times, with his team winning each of those games. Inter Miami will now face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the next round, as they continue their pursuit of a historic third trophy. With Messi leading the charge, the Herons are poised to challenge for further silverware in 2025.
