USL players to wear T-shirts in protest targeting U.S. Soccer over CBA

USL players will wear t-shirts calling for professional standards prior to U.S. Open Cup games Tuesday night in a coordinated effort to put pressure on U.S. Soccer amid tense Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The USL Players Association has been engaged in talks with the league office for months and, with no deal near, decided to take action.

The protest begins before Portland Hearts of Pine’s first-round match with Vermont Green and follows demonstrations at season openers when all players stood still for a minute. The previous CBA expired at the start of 2026; talks have continued for almost a year but remain at an impasse, and the two sides are far apart on terms.

Bargaining will resume on Thursday. The league revealed players will wear shirts reading: 'Do you stand with the players, USSF? #StandUpForStandards.' They will be worn during pregame ceremonies, including the national anthem and starting XI introductions, and removed prior to kickoff.

United States

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