Major League Soccer has pledged to a lot more to aid the professional development of its referees — but it will not tolerate extended protests from players and coaches.

Major League Soccer has announced a new partnership with the French Football Federation, one which will see an academy coach from each of the 19 MLS teams get professional development at the famed Clarefontaine Academy.

Porter only played seven minutes in DCU’s final game of the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, a 2-0 win over Philadelphia. That’s a sign that he’s indeed a part of the club, as coach Ben Olsen has already made up his mind about the Mississauga native and used the game as a chance to see other prospects.

The San Jose Earthquakes announced that the club has officially repatriated the player to the league, signing him to a new contract.

The USL-Pro division has announced it will allow its teams to each add five roster spots for academy players.

Both Canadian teams were upstaged by a Canadian trialist in the final day of group-stage play at the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic.

Regina, Sask.'s Drew Beckie, who starred in the midfield at the University of Denver and also featured for the Ottawa Fury, tweeted Tuesday that he’s inked a deal with the Columbus Crew.

Kyle Porter is on trial with D.C. United. But, if that doesn't pan out, the Canadian forward no longer has an FC Edmonton contract offer as a fallback position.

MLS and USL will hold a joint conference call Thursday to announce more details. But, from the release issued Wednesday: “For 2013, the partnership will include interleague play between USL PRO and MLS Reserve League teams, and the establishment of several exclusive team affiliations.”

It’s hard to imagine any MLS SuperDraft prospect who has done more to help himself than Canadian midfielder Kyle Bekker.