Multiple player agents spoke to CSN off-record today to stress that the negotiations are close to breaking down. It's possible that the players may formally walk away from the table as soon as this afternoon.
The agents say that the owners have refused to budge on the issue of free agency at all. Although they say the players are willing to be creative to find a solution that both allows for freer movement and keeps salary inflation under control, the owners refuse to consider any change to the way players move between clubs.
One agent wrote to CSN that "If the players are properly and financially supported throughout the strike...they would be on board for a long strike." The same agent went on to write "it doesn't look like the season will start this weekend."
Although the agent was careful to stress that his position was based only on the position of the players they represented, other agents expressed similar things.
Overnight, CSN was told that the union may have some powerful allies in the form of the other pro sports unions. It was suggested that the other unions would help to increase the player strike fund to allow for MLS players to make a living wage while on strike. The motivation to do so comes from a desire to see MLS move away from core concepts of single entity ownership. It's felt that the model is a threat to all professional sports in North America and there is a fear that other leagues could try to emulate all or parts of the system in the future. The other unions want to do what they can to make sure that doesn't happen.
It's worth noting that when MLSPU last challenged single entity in the courts it did so with the financial support of the NFLPA.
More as it develops.