With all of the changes this year, I've lost track of who United's senior international players are now. Nelson (NZ) and Ivanov (Bulgaria) are two. Do we have a third? And is three still the limit per team? I know Etch now has his green card. Do Stoichkov and Kovalenko as well? Does Alegria still count as a junior (or is it transitional?) international, or has he graduated to the senior ranks? Obviously, Stewart has US citizenship, so he isn't one. I guess what I really want to know is, are all of our SI slots filled?
Stoichkov is still a senior international. But there are rumors that he's expecting a green card. But then again, Marco expected his green card for 3 years..... Chino is still whatever it was that he was. Next season he will be a senior international. I'm not sure what exemption status Dema holds, but he's got one. So yes, the three SI slots are full. Hristo, Ivanov, and Nellie
Chino was and is a TI (Transitional International) for the 2003 season. But in 2004 he'll become an SI, so barring expansion, he'll have problems next season. Eliseo is a TI and likely to remain one for another 3 years or so. Mario, should DC United sign him, would be a TI for the 2003 season, but become an SI for the 2004 season. Hristo is an SI for 2003, but rumors are that he might be close to his green card. Even if he isn't, he might retire after this season. Either way, it's difficult to predict Hristo's role with DC United past the 2003 season. Ivanov is an SI for his entire career most likely, and certainly for 2003-2005. Nelsen is an SI for the 2003 and 2004 seasons at least. He has applied for a green card, but that is a long drawn out process, and we will not see him receive a green card for at least a few years. Other players on DC United already have their green cards: Etch Reyes Dema (I believe he's a full citizen now) Hope this helps. -Tron