MLS players say they're shut out of FIFA's big-money Club World Cup
This weekend, the FIFA Club World Cup descends on Seattle.This isn’t the big tournament that pits national teams against each other that’s coming in 2026.
Instead, this tournament features club teams from around the world. Spectators in Seattle will be able to see storied squads take the pitch throughout June.
For clubs, there is big money at stake but the majority of that money, at least when it comes to Major League Soccer, is set to go to the clubs’ owners.
U.S. players, including ones with the Seattle Sounders, won’t see much of it. So players have been speaking out about, what they call, a cash grab. U.S. fans of the beautiful game are now following an ugly contract dispute.
Guest:
Pablo Mauer, staff writer at the Athletic
Relevant Links:
The Athletic: Sounders protest MLS’ Club World Cup player payout cap, backed by MLSPA
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Libby Denkmann
Host, Soundside
Libby Denkmann joined KUOW in December 2021 as the host of the midday show Soundside. She’s a native Pacific Northwesterner who grew up in Redmond, graduated from the University of Washington, and covered local news as a producer and reporter with KIRO Radio.
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Hans Anderson
Producer, Soundside
Hans Anderson is a producer on KUOW’s Soundside, where he covers a diverse range of topics from conflicts over how to use busy streets to how the open spaces of the Palouse inspire modern musical compositions. He primarily produces segments about politics, arts and transportation.
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