Wherein I give up – and write about MLS, Labor, Strikes and Lockouts

I tired very, very hard.

Why? Because I never believed the current reach for peace would end in a strike or a lockout or anything like it. I still don’t believe so. Besides, writing about labor negotiations is tedious for me and probably rather boring for you to read about.

The only way to jazz it up is to sensationalize it, the way some have done.

Seriously, guys? They actually put these words together: “ … a strike that could wipe out the entire season.”

There’s a better chance that Lamar Hunt himself (rest in peace, sir) will rise from the grave and start a new life as a carnie than there is of prolonged strike. Simply put, both sides understand the potential destruction of such a nuclear option. It wouldn’t be pretty.

Alas, I had to dig into the issue for a piece on ESPN Soccernet, which should be posted in just a little while. (Now posted.)

What I implied, but never really outright said, is this: I get a strong feeling that a new CBA will be in place before Sunday’s deadline. Negotiators on both sides have been swell at keeping things professional and private, which is an encouraging sign. Any rancor has come from media voice or outside influencers (such as FIFPro, who no one over here had ever heard of ‘til a week ago) who fear a precedent.

As Pat Onstad from the Houston Dynamo told me, the threat of a strike or lockout was “about the only real bargaining chip” either side had. But he, like everyone else I talked to, remains cautiously optimistic things will be settled by Sunday.