Editorial: Leverage. It’s a concept MLS players are not historically accustomed to when it comes to their Collective Bargaining Agreements.

But this year they have it.

Tons of it.

While it remains true that the strength of the players union to strike is diminished by the minute salaries of the majority of their ranks, they have a unique opportunity to change that — if they are strong enough to go a bit hungry. For once, Major League Soccer has just as much — if not more — to lose with a player’s strike than ever before. If negotiations go to the wire, it will pit the financial hunger of the common player against the business interests of MLS.

Who will blink first?

The playing field hasn’t changed much within MLS since the last CBA, but the business dealings have. The players have the same detrimental issues to contend with in this year’s CBA that they have in the past. The union is still toothless, mainly by design in the single-entity system. The vast majority of their ranks do not have the sustainable income to withstand a total work stoppage. Moreover, players fear that the game in the U.S., which many have evangelically dedicated their lives to, can take a step back with a work stoppage.

While those issues remain, so does the union’s desire for freedom. As in past negotiations, free agency remains a sticking point. The complicated player acquisition structure in MLS continues to take the freedom of movement from clubs and players and puts it under the purview of the league. Allocation orders, discovery claims, re-entry drafts and several nuanced apparatus stand in between players and clubs, complicating acquisitions and potential arrivals in the name of the “greater good.”

With the intent of evening the playing field, these structures have kept franchises competitive, afloat and on equal footing for the vast majority of MLS’ 20 year history.

However, with new money and ownership in the league, the model is being tested, and in today’s social media environment, cracking under scrutiny.

If the players hope to force change, it will take a cold, calculated effort at exposing MLS in a vital year for league growth. It won’t be easy, but the weaknesses are there to exploit.

Here are a few points of leverage for the players:

Expansion: New York City FC and Orlando City SC are the two most ambitious expansion projects in recent MLS history. NYCFC represents a restart to the New York City market, long beaten down by the missteps of years past. Likewise, Orlando offers a return to Florida for MLS; their first excursion to the state since league contraction in 2002. A strike will not only delay their debut, but also force each franchise into a difficult position if and when the league does resolve the CBA. Both teams are tenants, beholden to the Citrus Bowl and Yankee Stadium. While the Bowl may be easier to navigate, dealings with Major League Baseball pushed the MLS schedule release into January of this year. Imagine what would happen, then, if the league had to restructure the season, squeezing in fixtures at the behest of the Yankees?

New York City FC and Orlando City SC are the two most ambitious expansion projects in recent MLS history. NYCFC represents a restart to the New York City market, long beaten down by the missteps of years past. Likewise, Orlando offers a return to Florida for MLS; their first excursion to the state since league contraction in 2002. A strike will not only delay their debut, but also force each franchise into a difficult position if and when the league does resolve the CBA. Both teams are tenants, beholden to the Citrus Bowl and Yankee Stadium. While the Bowl may be easier to navigate, dealings with Major League Baseball pushed the MLS schedule release into January of this year. Imagine what would happen, then, if the league had to restructure the season, squeezing in fixtures at the behest of the Yankees? TV Deals: Both expansion franchises were key acquisitions for MLS, particularly in light of last year’s TV deals. Networks wanted a restart in New York and a foothold in Florida. Both have been obtained. With a multi-million dollar contract set to kick start this year, the league and their investors will be testing their new partnership under the duress of a stoppage.

Both expansion franchises were key acquisitions for MLS, particularly in light of last year’s TV deals. Networks wanted a restart in New York and a foothold in Florida. Both have been obtained. With a multi-million dollar contract set to kick start this year, the league and their investors will be testing their new partnership under the duress of a stoppage. USL Affiliation: A work stoppage would not only effect the league, but their latest pro partnership as well. USL have graphed MLS into their DNA, espousing their great expansion on the backs of top tier reserve sides. What happens, then, if players walk off the job? Where does that leave the MLS USL sides? And what happens to USL?

A work stoppage would not only effect the league, but their latest pro partnership as well. USL have graphed MLS into their DNA, espousing their great expansion on the backs of top tier reserve sides. What happens, then, if players walk off the job? Where does that leave the MLS USL sides? And what happens to USL? Single-Entity Scrutiny: The mishandled transfer of Jermaine Jones to the New England Revolution last year served as the face of Major League Soccer’s failing and flailing player acquisition model. Coin flips, allocation rankings, rules for players “above a certain threshold,” and other meaningless league initiatives on the player acquisition front have served to expose MLS and their byzantine rulebook, particularly as new eyes have joined the fandom of the domestic league. Many observers believe these rules serve as a barrier of entry for the uninitiated soccer fan, unaware or accustomed to allocation and draft orders. The general public yearns for transparency and simplification of the acquisition process, putting MLS’s overwhelming rulebook to the test.

The mishandled transfer of to the New England Revolution last year served as the face of Major League Soccer’s failing and flailing player acquisition model. Coin flips, allocation rankings, rules for players “above a certain threshold,” and other meaningless league initiatives on the player acquisition front have served to expose MLS and their byzantine rulebook, particularly as new eyes have joined the fandom of the domestic league. Many observers believe these rules serve as a barrier of entry for the uninitiated soccer fan, unaware or accustomed to allocation and draft orders. The general public yearns for transparency and simplification of the acquisition process, putting MLS’s overwhelming rulebook to the test. Public Support: No fan of any sport would want to see their league stop play. However, that doesn’t mean they will crucify the players if they go this route. Greed has sunk many a player rebellion across all platforms when it comes to CBA negotiations. That won’t be the case here. It can’t — players simply do not make enough to generate that kind of emotion! With Garber misrepresenting league struggles by claiming $100 million in total losses (across 20 franchises, mind you), while touting multimillion dollar TV deals and continuing the growth of SUM, the league’s cries of poverty ring hollow. Juxtapose that to the large percentage of players who have taken to rooming together to make rent, or the college prospects entering the league at $36,500 a year (or roughly $17.50 an hour based on a 40 hour schedule). Losing the sport they love will be tough for any fan to endure. However, when the player’s hardship comes to light, many more will take a sympathetic eye to the union’s struggles.

There will never again be this perfect storm of on-field expansion and off-field investment tipping scales towards the players. By definition, single-entity will not allow it. After all, the system is based on control; controlling potential losses, fairly redistributing gains, eliminating owners from potential bidding wars and creating harmony in a competition-driven business.

This year, MLS does not have final say. By striking, the union can, for once, pursue the dream of free agency — with a few aces up their sleeves. Just imagine what it would do to the league, on their 20th anniversary, if the players decided to strike. NYCFC’s already precarious agreement to play at Yankee Stadium will undoubtedly be disturbed. The league’s multimillion dollar TV deal will begin on a negative footing.

With everyone sharing something to lose, the time to make swooping changes is now. Both the league and players recognize this. In fact, fear of a possible strike has pushed MLS to seek third party mediation ahead of schedule, taking even the player’s union by surprise.

Stakes are clearly high, and it would behoove all parties involved to find an expedient, fair resolution to this entire CBA affair.

However, if you are the player’s union, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can force change on a grand scale, fundamentally transforming the landscape of Major League Soccer and American soccer while simultaneously strengthening the voice of the players within the league — all while garnering support from a strong and vocal fanbase who will likely back the players over management.

The time is now. Ultimately, no one wants a strike, but if it happens … we’ll understand.