Major League Soccer: Let Them Play
To our Austin soccer community,
This year, Major League Soccer will kick off its first season in Austin, bringing us our first top tier sports league. It’s going to be a moment in Austin history that we’re going to remember for a very long time.
We’re beyond excited. Thousands of Austinites have waited for years for this year, and we’re anxiously awaiting the first match for Austin FC. A cautious optimism set amidst the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, the players of the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) made significant sacrifices to keep the league operating amidst that pandemic. They spent months away from their families, endured a rigorous travel schedule, and conceded nearly $150 million in financial compensation, all to bring us a nearly complete season.
As we start in 2021, there are still a lot of challenges our league and players have to reckon with.
In recognition of that, the MLSPA has made a proposal to extend the Collective Bargaining Agreement into the 2026 season. Team owners, however, are asking for more sacrifices from our players. They’re threatening our first season in order to get these sacrifices.
Unlike 26 other teams, we’re new here. We don’t know how our team will perform on the pitch. But we know this — these players are already part of our Austin soccer community. Anyone who has viewed their social media accounts knows how excited they are to put on that verde and represent Austin.
We’re also the only club where each player is in the same situation. Each and every one of them has uprooted their lives and is ready to start a new chapter here in Austin. New schools for the kids, new houses and apartments to move into, and a new life to figure out.
These players have already shown their commitment to our city before they’ve even shown up for their first training session. Now, the league and its ownership are threatening to lock them out of that first training session.
Without the players, we have no game. Without supporters, we have no soccer. Together, we are united as one soccer community.
The players are ready to play.
Major League Soccer, let them play.
In Verde,
Austin Anthem
Austin Anthem is the independent supporters group for Austin FC, and a member of the Independent Supporters Council.
