MLS Strike

So, the MLS players decided to strike if no CBA is reached by March 25th.  The biggest issue is apparently the union's desire to challenge the single entity system.  Now, let me be clear, I do not see how free agency would plunge the league into financial disaster if the salary cap was kept in place.  If you can't spend say over $2 million, then you can't spend over $2 million, thus I am on the side of the players.  I think the owners should put revenue sharing in place, despite the minimal revenues at the moment, and should adopt a restricted/unrestricted free agency policy like the NFL.  Maybe to keep costs down, have the restriction be lifted after say 4 or 5 years.  With that being said, I don't know if the decision to vote for a strike was a wise one.  Bringing in a Federal mediator was a sign of good faith by both sides, a sign I fear the players may have pissed away.  The truth is, soccer is still growing in this country, its not particularly profitable if at all so the owners have a point.  In this case of labor relations, the owners are not the Andrew Carnegie's making billions while utilizing slave labor.  My fear is, a strike may destroy everything.  MLS fans are still by and large curious, still checking the league out.  I should know, I am one of them.  My first MLS game will be Red Bulls-Santos on the 20th.  From what MLS I've seen at the end of last year and the CONCACAF game on Tuesday, I like what I see.  I am quite sure there are many more out there like me, many of whom don't know the full story behind the labor talks.  If they see MLS go away, will they ever come back?  I'm not so sure they will.  Hockey for example, is still struggling after that lockout.   With that scary prospect of the fledgling American soccer fanbase disappearing, isn't it possible the owners, who for the most part have lost money, just throw their hands up and say good riddance?  That is what I am afraid of.  I think the players should have played the season on good faith and gone from there.  They should have gone on strike next season.  The players best bet right now is that Columbus beats Toluca next Wednesday.  That way the owners are a little more eager to bargain so they're not embarrassed by having to forfeit in the semis of the CONCACAF Champions League.