The LA Galaxy completed preparations for Sunday's international friendly against C.D. Aguila by training inside the main stadium of The Home Depot Center today. The session was the final training session of the eight-week-long preaseason.
At the same time the players took the field, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and the MLS Players Union took part in a conference call to announce the agreement of new collective bargaining agreement that commences with the 2010 season and concludes on December 31, 2014.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber (left) and MLS Players Union Executive Director Bob Foose shake hands after announcement of new five-year CBA. Photo Credit Jose Argueta/MLS
After Commissioner Garber spoke, LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan joined the conference call. This is what Donovan had to say...
Along with Landon, Todd Dunivant and Chris Klein also took a part in the negotiations in D.C. All three are scheduled to return to L.A. later today and will be available to play tomorrow.
Back at The Home Depot Center, Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena was glad the two sides were able to broker a deal -- which allows the 2010 season to kickoff next week as scheduled.
"We're very pleased that there's been an agreement on a new five-year CBA between MLS and the MLS Players Union," Arena said. "We look forward to getting the 2010 season started next Saturday against the New England Revolution. This is going to be a great year for MLS and soccer in the United States."
At the conclusion of training, we caught up with assistant coach Dave Sarachan, forward Edson Buddle, midfielder Dema Kovalenko and rookie midfielder Michael Stephens.
Here's what they had to say regarding tomorrow's preseason finale...
Dave...
Edson...
Dema...
Stephens...
Here are some more photos from today's training session...
4 comments:
I'm very proud of the way Landon came back and immediately got involved with CBA process. He gave the players' cause a face and demonstrated his leadership. That's the way to be a captain.
Good on the players and the league to settle this.
As always, we appreciate so much that the blog staff keeps us fans updated in text, in pics, in audio, and - especially with videos... Come on, guys - you know it's already overdue for another in-depth video feature of our guys - especially, with respect to giving airtime to AJ, Omar, Leonardo, Alex, Juninho, Bryan, and Tristan. There has got to be some good heart-to-heart footage :-)
SOOOOOO GLAAADDD to finally hear that CBA negotiations have come to agreement between MLS and the Players Union - FINALLY! Glad to hear that the players got quite a bit of the things they needed. I would hate to find out that they were left with holding the "short straws" again.
Can't wait to see our players in action tomorrow. I wish them all plenty of luck, fun, and excellent plays! It should be a good game to watch and guage where our players are before the season is about to begin. GO GALAXY!!!
I'm proud of EVERYONE in the process. It took longer--but both sides agreed to extend the deadline and worked out what appears to be a good deal for everyone involved. Love this league--cant wait for the first kick on Thursday (and the opener vs. New England).
Those pictures are awesome
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