The dispute between MLS players and the league has lasted the entire offseason.

BY WEB STAFF
sportsnet.ca

Toronto FC union representative Nick Garcia believes that MLS players will strike if a new collective bargaining agreement is not negotiated before the season opens in two weeks time.

The league and its Players' Union were unable to reach an agreement during the offseason and allowed the previous CBA to expire in February.

"If we need to walk away, we are willing to do that," Garcia said on Wednesday. "We've had guys anxious to have a work stoppage here for the past couple of months. All the guys in our lockeroom are united."

The league has called in a federal mediator to join the negotiations scheduled for Washington, DC, this week.

"I know things have got done in the past through mediators, so hopefully this will help," Garcia added.

The season is scheduled to open with the expansion Philadelphia Union playing the Seattle Sounders FC on March 25 at Qwest Field. Toronto FC is set to open its fourth season two days later in Columbus.

"I don't think any of our players want to go on strike, and we are taking their issues very seriously," MLS commissioner Don Garber told the Associated Press last week. "The expectations are that the season will start on time, and the expectation is we will reach agreement with our players."

Player movement and salaries are rumoured to be the sticking points in negotiation.