On April 17, 2020, Major League Soccer announced that it was “exploring a wide variety of formats” for the 2020 season given the current postponement due to the global pandemic. In addition to schedule and format changes, there have been reports that MLS will adjust player salaries for this season in order to reduce expenses during the postponement. ECS leadership has learned that MLS has aggressively engaged the MLS Players Association to make large salary cuts with the possibility of further action, but there is no agreement at this time. As we have in the past, the ECS stands with the players and calls on the league to continue making salary payments until a point where the MLSPA mutually opts into an alternate agreement.

Additionally, MLS said it aims for a “scenario where all matches are played with fans.” Soccer leagues across the globe have begun to discuss how they might go about starting (or re-starting) their seasons, with some potentially using “pumped in” recorded crowd noise, cardboard cutouts that resemble fans in stands, and other mechanisms. We, the Emerald City Supporters, believe that football without fans is nothing and call for the continued suspension of the MLS season until matches can be played in a manner that is safe for players, team personnel, and fans.

We look forward to supporting the Sounders on a matchday soon.