It's almost like, and just hear me out, Paunovic takes the competition seriously and keeps fielding strong squads.
Well, that's something. The #USOC2018 Semifinal & Final Draw, scheduled for today, has been postponed following a protest by @TimbersFC relating to the number of foreign players fielded by @LAFC during their Quarterfinal. A new time for the Draw will be decided soon. 🗞 → https://t.co/2tNuAdd7H7— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 19, 2018 The Portland Timbers have filed a protest “in relation to the number of foreign players fielded by Los Angeles Football Club during Wednesday night’s Quarterfinal.”
I'm not sure. Here's how player eligibility is defined in THE CUP Handbook: Here are LAFC's international players, according to MLS: Atuesta, Ciman, Diomande, Horta, Moutinho, Rossi, Ureña, Vela Ciman, Vela, Rossi, Ureña, and Diomande were on the roster for the game last night. Other potential internationals that made the roster were Blessing (Ghana), Mallace (Scotland), and the Canadian contingent of Kaye and Jakovic. Turns out Blessing and Mallace have green cards or citizenship. Kaye and Jakovic seem to be the sticking point. From Alicia Rodriguez: Interesting.
The plot thickens. I'm now hearing from another source with a high degree of confidence that Kaye does NOT have a green card, so let's see where this thing goes https://t.co/lQJCwpXRBc— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) July 19, 2018 I'll laugh so much if they get tossed for this.
Kaye was playing in Louisville last year and wasn't Jakovic with DC for a while? EDIT: Ah, just saw your follow up post about these two guys. Yeah, that doesn't surprise me really. I think the rules should just be re-written, has to be full American citizens, either by birth or naturalization.
There would be teams who would have a tough time playing then, given the number of players with Green Cards--and you really do not want your rules to be that different from the top domestic league.
Something along the lines of 6 US citizens in the starting lineup, rest can be foreign. Bench can be whatever, or maybe needs to be half American. Something like that. I understand it might be tough, but what's the point in restricting foreigners in the first place? Either do it or don't. The whole green card thing is just a work around because there aren't enough good Americans. Either drop the rule or embrace it, not this mushy middle bullshit.
Um, I think you might not be able to restrict a Green Card holder--for employment, I think they get the same legal treatment as a citizen. That's one reason MLS has the rules it has. Except the rules for Canadian players, because there are Canadian team in MLS. MLS is the domestic league in two countries, which one would expect to cause small differences--one of which is a slightly broader eligibility, as both US and Canadian players are domestic in terms of their league. Not sure what Canada Soccer does eligibility wise for their national championship though. Mind you, I am not an ICE agent, nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
More updates from thecup.us: EDIT: How the hell can LAFC claim Kaye as a homegrown international? He was in the TFC academy. DOUBLE EDIT: So this is the definition of a homegrown international: If I'm understanding this, you can be claimed as a homegrown international even if you weren't a homegrown player from the team that signs you. That is... odd.
lafcs-adama-diomande-says-he-was-called-racial-slur-in-portland-timbers-game Diomande claims a slur was thrown his way. On a side note, Diomande has scored more for LAFC since he arrived than he did for Hull City in a three year span.
For what it's worth, Canadian clubs count US players as domestic under Canadian law. US teams count Canadians as internationals (unless they have a green card or are homegrown or Generation Adidas). MLS claims that US law prevents them from treating Canadians differently than Costa Ricans or Jamaicans. The USL doesn't follow MLS policy and treats Canadians as domestic players regardless of which side of the border their club is on.
THE CUP!! Semis. Tonight. Read. Watch. Or be judged. And pray for ET & PKs in the Houston/LAFC match. That is all.
Behold, ye meek and tender mortals, and despair For a new champion will be crowned AND IT WON'T BE THE CREW Wednesday night, the Dynamo welcome the Union to the sweltering confines of BBVA Compass Stadium to determine which team will capture its first Open Cup title! Curtin's Men been here before—this is their third CUP Final in five years, all of which have ended in bitter defeat— while Houston has never before tasted the sweet elixir that is THE CUP Final. We're in for a real ********ing treat, kiddos. Or not. Dammit, WHY CAN'T IT BE US?! Where was I? Oh yes! THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE! So tune in to ESPN2! Enjoy! And curse you, Berhalter! It's THE CUP FINAL, ya ingrates! Get in on it!