Seattle Sounders players made their position clear ahead of their Major League Soccer fixture against Minnesota United by wearing warmup shirts with messages reading “Club World Cash Grab” and “Fair Share Now.” The protest was aimed at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
The demonstration followed just hours after LAFC defeated Club América in a high-stakes playoff to secure the final place in the tournament. The match, often referred to as the priciest game in North American soccer history, ended in extra time with LAFC earning a guaranteed payout of at least $9.55 million. The one-off contest was necessitated after FIFA removed Club León due to breaches involving shared ownership.
With the result, Seattle joins Inter Miami and LAFC as Major League Soccer’s three representatives in the international tournament.
Players push for fair compensation amid growing schedule
The Major League Soccer Players Association supported the Sounders’ stance with an official statement criticizing both FIFA and MLS. According to the organization, the newly expanded competition increases demands on athletes without sufficient consideration for their health or rest.
To ensure club and player participation, FIFA promised significant financial awards. The association highlighted that the league stands to benefit immensely from this new structure but has yet to offer equitable bonuses to those competing on the field.
Despite multiple attempts to negotiate fair compensation behind closed doors, the players’ union said MLS has not responded with acceptable terms. They also condemned the league’s insistence on outdated clauses in the current labor agreement and accused officials of ignoring widely accepted global norms regarding prize distribution.
Club commitments impact International selections
This summer’s calendar is packed, with the Club World Cup scheduled simultaneously with the CONCACAF Gold Cup, followed shortly by the Leagues Cup. As a result, national teams have had to adjust their squads to accommodate club obligations.
The United States men’s team, for example, had to leave out key figures such as Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, and Weston McKennie in order to avoid conflicts with their club schedules. The pressure of the congested timeline has drawn criticism across leagues, with European stars like Rodri of Manchester City previously warning of possible strike action over player fatigue.
