In some ways, the revised CBA was an obvious step backward for MLS fans hoping to see the league make good on its long-made promise to become a “league of choice” in the near future. Most notably, the salary cap is now going up more slowly and the agreement extends two years longer than previously planned.
But in one area, at least, it took a potentially significant step forward.
A year after promising to introduce a new mechanism for signing young, but relatively expensive players, the so-called U-22 Initiative was formally adopted with the new CBA. Although details have not yet been publicly announced, The Athletic’s Sam Stejskal got the scoop:
Some background on U-22 initiative:
u2714ufe0fTeams can sign up to 3 players under it
u2714ufe0fUnlimited acquisition costs for those players
u2714ufe0fSalary capped at/around max budget charge
u2714ufe0fPlayers hit budget at reduced charge, $150k or $200k from what I've gatheredhttps://t.