Romario Williams Earns Visa: But Future Problems for MLS Franchises?

Romario Williams won his Green Card on Saturday, which was a welcome relief for MLS team Atlanta United, who are struggling to manage their foreign player allocation.

Atlanta United tweeted on Monday that Romario Williams has earned his Green Card. Well done Romario.

The Jamaica star made his debut at the weekend, scoring in a 3-1 preseason win over Nashville SC. Atlanta has high hopes for him in 2018 after a fine season on loan at Charleston Battery. He should provide instant cover to Josef Martinez, and offer an impact off of the bench.

Visa Pressures

This is also great news for Atlanta at an opportune time. The franchise has some serious concerns with their foreign player allocation for 2018. Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra is juggling multiple visa issues, as some fans have noticed.

Atlanta will be hoping to secure green cards for at least two more players in the coming weeks. Doug Roberson at AJC.com suggested that Josef Martinez was also close to earning his Green Card, which should alleviate some of the pressure.

Warning from history?

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Problems with player visas could become more common, as MLS’ brand grows. How the league will react to future influxes of foreign-born players remains to be seen.

This situation reminds me of the early years of the English Premier League.  In the early years of the league teams were only able to field 3 foreign-born players, for midweek UEFA Champions League Games. Teams had no problem complying with this rule initially. Few foreign-born players played in the league at the time, so the restriction was an afterthought.

As the Premier League brand quickly grew, however, more and more foreign players joined English teams. To the point that the typical team had more foreign-born players than English players, on their rosters. Which left UEFA with the awkward situation of English teams being forced to drop foreign-born players for high profile Champions League games.

Fan pressure would get too great for UEFA, and they eventually relaxed their visa rules. This allowed English teams to field as many foreign players as they wished. Which, ironically, made England an even more attractive location for foreign-born players. The vicious circle was now complete.

The final indignity (the cherry on the cupcake) came in 2008 when UEFA was forced to bring in a new “homegrown player rule”. This forced European teams to sign at least 8 homegrown/local players to their roster. A complete switcheroo, in less than 15 years. Impressive stuff.

A look into the future

Which begs the question, will MLS follow the same path?

It will be hard to avoid the same trap. A more successful league will attract more foreign talent. That is just a given. And if the league relents to commercial pressures, and eases restrictions, it will force American players out of rosters. And possibly out of the sport completely.

Next: Why USSF President Carlos Codeiro deserves a chance

It will be important for the league to find a fair balance between the commercialization of the league, and the development of US talent.  Certainly a better balance than what exists in many European leagues today.