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SPORTS Friday 7 February 2020

In this Nov. 10, 2019, file photo, Seattle Sounders captain Nico-
las Lodeiro, right, lifts the MLS Cup trophy as he celebrates with
teammates after the Sounders defeated Toronto FC in the MLS
Cup championship soccer match in Seattle.
Associated Press
MLS salaries,

charter flights rise Costa Rica defender Maria Coto (3) and United States forward Christen Press (20) both go for a
header during the second half of a Concacaf women's Olympic qualifying soccer match Mon-
day, Feb. 3, 2020, in Houston.
Associated Press
in new labor deal U.S. guarding against letdown with

NEW YORK (AP) — The mini- 2024. Player spending will Olympic berth on line
mum salary for senior play- go up by an amount equal
ers in Major League Soccer to 25% above the 2022 fig-
will rise from $70,250 last ure plus $100 million. By ANNE M. PETERSON On Friday, the top-ranked to their level," he said.
year to $109,200 in 2024 Each team has 18-20 play- CARSON, Calif. (AP) — The United States will play By winning its group hand-
as part of a five-year col- ers on its senior roster, United States isn't really mo- Mexico in the semifinals of ily, eighth-ranked Canada
lective bargaining agree- and their minimum rises tivated by what happened the CONCACAF Women's avoided facing the United
ment, and the use of char- to $81,375 this year. Each four years ago in the Rio Olympic Qualifying tour- States in the semis. Costa
ter flights will expand. team has up to eight play- Games as the team heads nament with one of the Rica, ranked No. 37 in the
Free agent eligibility also ers on its reserve roster, into an all-important Olym- region's two berths in the world, has never made the
will increase under the and their minimum goes pic qualifying match Friday Tokyo Games on the line. 12-team field for the Olym-
agreement announced up from $56,250 last year night. Canada faces Costa Rica pics, although Las Ticas did
Thursday, which is subject to $63,547 this season and Coming off a World Cup for the other spot. play in the 2015 World Cup.
to ratification by both sides. $85,502 in 2024. championship in France The U.S. and Canada won The Canadians are unde-
"This agreement addresses Under the expired con- last summer, the United the Olympic berths four feated in 13 previous meet-
key strategic priorities for tract, each team had the States just wants to guard years ago. The Canadians ings with Costa Rica. In
the league and our play- right to use a charter flight against any letdown. went on to win their second the 2016 qualifying tourna-
ers while also retaining the on up to four legs per sea- Christen Press said it's dif- consecutive bronze medal ment, Canada defeated
basic player compensa- son. Under the new deal, ficult after all the attention in Brazil. Las Ticas 3-1 in the semifi-
tion structure that has been teams must go by charter that comes in the wake of Canada is led by cap- nals.
the foundation for the for eight legs this year and winning soccer's premier tain Christine Sinclair, who "It was a close match. It
growth and stability of Ma- the figure will expand to 16 tournament to transition so surpassed retired U.S. star was a match where we
jor League Soccer," Com- by 2024. quickly to preparation for Abby Wambach's interna- made many mistakes, but
missioner Don Garber said Teams also will have to use the Olympics. tional goals record in the it is in the past," Costa Rica
in a prepared statement. charters for all postseason "I think that the mental- group stage. Sinclair, who coach Amelia Valverde
"We had constructive, posi- games and all CONCACAF ity the group that was a has been on the national said. "We're focusing on
tive discussions with the Champions League games part of 2015 and 2016 is team since 2000, has 186 right here, right now."
leadership of the MLSPA involving international bringing into this transition career goals heading into Mexico, ranked No. 26,
and the players' bargain- flights. is that we have to have a the semifinals. That's the made the field for the 2004
ing committee during the Players who are at least 24 short memory," she said. most among men or wom- Olympics but has not been
negotiations over the last and have five years of MLS "We have to let go of the en. back since. However, Mex-
few months and I would service will be eligible for World Cup and we have Canada coach Kenneth ico is on the rise, boosted
like to thank them for their free agency, down from to go into this like this is our Heiner-Moller said it was by a domestic women's
collaboration in conclud- 28 and eight years of ser- big tournament for the next important that his team league. The team won
ing an agreement that will vice. The deal caps the three years. And so I think avoids complacency dur- its first two group-stage
serve as the foundation for increases in contracts for that that's a good lesson to ing qualifying. And indeed, matches before falling 2-0
a new era of partnership free agents. have learned." the team swept group to Canada.
with our players." Designated players also The United States had stage play without con- Like Canada, the United
Spending power per team will have some free-agent also won the World Cup ceding a goal. States swept its group stage
will go up from $8.49 million rights. in 2015 and went into the "No matter who we play, matches without allowing
last year to $11,643,000 in Starting next year, MLS has Rio Games brimming with we need to play to Cana- a goal. Lindsey Horan led
the final season of the deal. the right to allow each confidence — only to be dian standard. It has to be the way with five goals and
The agreement includes a club to sign as many as ousted in the quarterfinals our level of performance Press added four.
provision in which players three players 22 or young- by Sweden. It was the U.S. that we play to. It's so easy U.S. midfielder Rose Lavelle
will share in increased me- er with a reduced budget team's earliest ever exit to play a team that you're emphasized that the team
dia revenue in 2023 and charge.q from the Olympics. better than, and then drop can't get ahead of itself. q