As MLS becomes more of a selling league, teams and individual players are looking for ways to maximize transfer values on the international market.



FC Dallas has the potential to lead the way, because the club has a healthy number of young homegrown players who could drive significant interest in the international market. And this week, Dallas showed a willingness to try a new approach when they signed United States right back Reggie Cannon to a creative contract extension.



The contract was announced as a four-year guaranteed extension, but that doesn’t reveal the full story. The agreement is notable because it actively incentivizes FC Dallas to sell Cannon within the next two transfer windows.



Cannon’s new deal includes bonuses for the homegrown right back tied directly to his sale. The larger the transfer fee, the bigger the reward for Cannon. On the flip side of that arrangement, Dallas increased its leverage in negotiations by locking...