It’s likely that I’m making a much bigger point out of this than is necessary, but MLS rules and solutions fascinate me.
Atlanta United has 13 players that qualify as internationals on its roster. They are: Leandro Pirez, Julian Gressel, Kevin Kratz, Yamil Asad, Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron, Josef Martinez, Romario Williams, Kenwyne Jones, Anton Walkes, Carlos Carmona, Jeffrey Otoo and Romario Williams.
MLS teams start with eight slots reserved for international players. The slots don’t have to used. They are tradeable, which is why Atlanta United has nine slots after trading for one with Colorado.
So, by March 1, four moves need to be made to solve the discrepancy between 13 players and nine slots, assuming no more players are signed.
The team has 31 roster slots available ( reported by Jonathan Tannenwald yesterday ), so it's unlikely that Atlanta United will need to make cuts to its roster.
So, the other possible solutions are: trades for more slots, loans to a USL or NASL club or by securing green cards.
Atlanta United renewed its affiliation with Charleston as its USL partner. Several of its players, including Otoo, played there last year. Loaning would seem to be the easiest solution, particularly for young players competing at deep positions. That include SuperDraft pick Julian Gressel, a midfielder, as well as Miles Robinson, a centerback, and Anton Walkes, centerback/defensive midfielder. (I would be surprised if either got loaned)
The other option is securing a green card, a process with which I have no experience. A quick look at www.usics.gov shows:
Job or Employment Based
People who want to become immigrants based on employment or a job offer may apply for permanent residence or an immigrant visa abroad, when an immigrant visa number becomes available according to the following employment based preferences:
First Preference: Priority Workers, including aliens with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers
Second Preference: Members of professions holding an advanced degree or persons of exceptional ability (including individuals seeking a National Interest Waiver)
Third Preference: Skilled Workers, professionals and other qualified workers
Fourth Preference: Certain special immigrants including those in religious vocations
Fifth Preference: Employment creation immigrants (investors or entrepreneurs)
It would seem that all of the players would qualify for one of the preferences. One website says it takes 90 days after a petition is filed with USCIS to receive the work permit. If you have experience in this process, feel free to comment.
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