ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas, who played in MLS from 1996 to 2003 and later served as general manager in New York and Los Angeles:

This is one of those things where what is good for the individual may not necessarily be good for the whole.

I can completely empathize with the frustration that players sometimes feel where they're not able to dictate where they go. But the rules and regulations, as much as we rail against them - if we take a step back, I believe that they are one of the reasons why we are still in existence.

it doesn't mean that they aren't frustrating. It doesn't mean they aren't confusing. But I do believe there is a method to the madness.

I'm sure there is talent that MLS has lost out on because of the regulations in existence. While the initial reaction is to throw your arms up, the responsibility of the league and ownership is not necessarily for the short term.

Now, if it's a situation where every year because of this MLS is losing out on talent that could make teams and the league better, then that's definitely something that needs to be addressed. I don't necessarily think we're there yet though.

I think it ultimately comes down to money. I don't think we have players sitting out in the far reaches of the world because they can't play in their preferred city in MLS. I think that's misleading to think that exists.

Is it a barrier? Yeah, but it's a barrier by design.

There's this inflation that happens in terms of perception and reality when players step off the plane in another country. All of a sudden their value and their ability seems to creep upward.

[But] there are guys with cachet and name recognition. I could make an argument for many individuals. There are guys that could force hands. and maybe bring the type of leverage that we were talking about.