MLS to Seek Training Compensation, Solidarity Payments for Outgoing Talent

MLS is taking another step toward integrating itself with the rest of the football world, in large part to avoid being taking advantage of by it.

The league’s academies, which started out as little more than a cost center or marketing vehicle, have started to bear fruit a bit more regularly. And with that production comes interest from abroad, and with that interest come offers from foreign teams that appeal to ambitious players.

On a few occasions, MLS outfits have been the victim of that modest developmental success. Everywhere else, clubs grooming and training young players are compensated when the athlete goes pro. But U.S. and Canadian soccer are new to this developmental game and need…