Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

March 4, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - Will there be soccer on Saturday? That was the first question posed to Vancouver Whitecaps MLS player union rep, Steven Beitashour on Tuesday after the Whitecaps training session.



The always positive right-back had this quick retort.



"We hope so. Time will tell."



According to the Whitecaps Iranian international, a possible strike vote could have occurred on Tuesday night or this morning. If a vote has already taken place no statement has been made to the media.



"It's either late tonight (Tuesday) or tomorrow morning (Wednesday), so we'll find out hopefully within 24 hours."



Are the players gonna play, play, play? Not even Taylor Swift has the answers to solve the MLS CBA issues and impending work stoppage. The clock is ticking and time does not appear to be onside.



As the weekend approaches and the opening Friday night fixture between the Chicago Fire and Los Angeles Galaxy creeps closer and closer, MLS is without a new collective bargaining agreement.



The players want free agency and a better balance of player salaries and hardline MLS owners don't want to budge. Steven Goff of the Washington Post was all over the latest news while covering CBA rumblings on Tuesday.



Getting word MLS has rejected all of players' proposed compromises. Hardliners are "running league into ditch" — Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) March 3, 2015



Says well-placed source: "It's shocking. Almost as if owners want a work stoppage. They see players as incidental to MLS' growth" — Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) March 3, 2015 Steven Beitashour flew across country following the Whitecaps 1-1 preseason draw with the Chicago Fire on Saturday afternoon in Portland, Oregon to join CBA talks in Washington, D.C. - While the talks stretched into the late evenings nothing produced a new CBA. Beitashour still holds out hope.



"They went well, it's back and forth, so it's continuing right now, and we'll see and hope for the best."



When they are on the pitch the best footballers step up and perform in crunch time. Move those players into a boardroom and it's slick talking MLS owners who carry the upper-hand when it comes to free agency, player salaries, and other concerns.



Regardless of who has the upper-hand, or who is winning the media public relations war, Beitashour knows that both sides must make concessions if a new CBA is to be reached in time for the start of the season.



"We are getting down to the wire and it's just one of those things. Both parties aren't going to be 100 percent happy, but it's a negotiation, so we just have to keep working on it and hopefully we can get to something."



David Ousted is entering his second full season as the Whitecaps number one goalkeeper and he was quick to chime in with his opinion on a possible MLS work stoppage.



"I don't think anybody wants to strike, but we as players right now are fighting for what we consider some basic rights and everybody wants a deal, but it has to be some terms that we as players can agree upon."



Ousted led MLS with 13 clean sheets in 2014 and like his teammates the Danish keeper wants to play on Saturday to show the fans, city, and media that the Whitecaps are ready to take another step forward this season. Progress and positivity are helping Ousted stay focused during the CBA negotiations.



"I think everybody wants progress and that's what we're looking for. Everybody wants to play Saturday, but like I said, we've got some basic things that we need fulfilled. I'm still positive about it, I'm still positive about the talks that are going on and I'm still hopeful."



The Whitecaps are scheduled to host Toronto FC on Saturday at BC Place Stadium. Greg Vanney and his star-studded Toronto roster are expected to travel to Vancouver on Thursday morning. The travel plans of every visiting MLS opponent this week remain in limbo as a new CBA threatens to cancel matches and grind MLS to a halt.



Steven Beitashour continues to champion unity and togetherness when it comes to MLS players standing pat and holding their ground. Once the MLS players union strike fund runs dry it will interesting to see if any changes in unity start to form. For now Beitashour and his fellow players remain bonded, strong, and together.



"Everyone's united, everyone's together. We either play together or we don't play together, that's the beauty of it. We have a great group, so we're all in this together."



Notes: Vancouver Whitecaps owner Steve Nash trained with the Whitecaps on Tuesday.