The MLS Players Union has responded to a class-action lawsuit brought against it by three youth clubs seeking training fees and solidarity payments, calling it “frivolous” and “untimely.”

Crossfire Premiere, the Dallas Texans and Sockers FC filed a class-action suit against the union, along with Michael Bradley, DeAndre Yedlin and Clint Dempsey on July 1, seeking thousands of dollars in fees over their transfers. FIFA regulations stipulate all clubs that participated in the training of a player, are due compensation upon a transfer based on age when trained and the amount of time spent with the club.

U.S. Soccer has previously denied all U.S.-based clubs from receiving those fees on the basis of the Fraser v. MLS court case, but FIFA has allowed the youth clubs to present their arguments in front of an independent tribunal. Decisions in those cases are pending.

Both SI.com and Vice Sports reported previously U.S. Soccer and MLS appear to have softened their stance on the matter, though the Players Union remained opposed.

“It is unfortunate and sad that these supposedly non-profit organizations have chosen to sue us,” said LA Galaxy keeper Dan Kennedy, a member of the union’s executive board. “The Players Union is the player’s organization, and this lawsuit is frivolous and untimely.

Players Union Executive Director Bob Foose added: “The FIFA system that these clubs are seeking to exploit would be immensely damaging to the development of soccer in the United States. By filing this lawsuit against all players, even before FIFA or U.S. Soccer has acted, these youth clubs have revealed their true colors. Their focus appears not to be on the development of players, but instead on ensuring themselves a piece of the action when a player makes it professionally. Parents should take notice. We will aggressively defend ourselves, our members and all players against this baseless suit.”

The suing clubs in a statement on July 1 said while the trio of players are required by law to be named in the suit, they would drop the three if the union allows the case to be followed through without them.

Another Union board member, Ethan Finlay of the Columbus Crew, added youth clubs “are well compensated for their services” and called the lawsuit “a shakedown.”

Youth clubs in the United States are often pay-to-play. Scholarships are available but those other players tuition is used to offset those costs.

However, in absence of training fees and solidarity payments, youth clubs have few other methods besides charging tuition for covering operating costs.