The Official Matt Bersano thread

Yes, that’s true. But he’s never applied for it apparently.

 

Here's are a couple of articles that explain the process. FYI, I secured an H-1B visa for an employee last year, so I've been through some of this.

Anyway - part of the process is documenting how the skills represented by the individual are not easily replaceable by a US citizen. Good luck - Vega is a mediocre keeper at best, and the US probably produces more pro-quality GKs than any other position (perhaps due to our large number of hand-eye sports). I think it would be difficult or impossible to successfully argue that Vega's skills are critical and/or irreplaceable.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianqui...-get-moving-on-those-green-card-applications/

https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/3/1/17066212/mls-green-cards-immigration-process

 

Well he did get scored on when playing for Reno by a 16 year old on my old semi-pro team a few years back
It was the center back's fault though so I don't hold it against him.

 

Is Bersano better than Vega?

 

Seriously stupid question. How the ******** is anybody supposed to know the answer to that question, given that he's played zero minutes in MLS:



I do know, however, that a 28 yo keeper should probably be hanging up his gloves at this point...

 

He might have been able to make this case when playing for Tampa Bay when he was younger and less lousy. They could have argued that he brought skills not readily available in USL, and that he’d make a great mentor for the young players, provide leadership in the locker room, and so on.

But it looks like most soccer players that want green cards don’t have a problem getting them, so maybe they go easier on athletes?

Go Quakesfans!!

- Mark

 

But these is relavant for obtaining a "visa" to come and work in the US. Vega, like other international soccer players, has laready obtained some kind of non-immigrant visa since he has been able to obtain employment in Tampa Bay and then with the Quakes. I would think that the green card eligibility process has a "length of time" criteria associated with having a non-immigrant visa prior to being able to apply for a green card.

 

I am quite positive that it is not simply a matter of "play long enough", and:

 

I understand but am speaking from experience. My buddy's wife came over to the us on a K-1 (fiancee) visa and was granted immediate work authorization. After 6 months she was able to apply for a conditional green card and three years after receiving the green card she was eligible to apply for US citizenship.

This is the reasoning of where I am coming from and thus was thinking something similar applies to soccer players.

I would presume that the "special skill" used too justify a visa would be a "soccer player" and not a specific position since most international players living in the US for a few years seem to be able to get a green card so why would Vega be an exception?

 

It's interesting. It seems to me (maybe it's just my perception) that the Quakes have been worse than most MLS teams in terms of securing green cards for international players. Looking at Atlanta, for example, they were able to move platoons of players out of the Sr. Intl. slots, but the only one I can think of recently for the Quakes was Magnus, IIRC. It would be consistent with what we all know and think of the high-level functioning of the Earthquakes FO if that was the case...

 

I know that Vako and Kashia have both received their green cards

 

Just checked the 2019 roster, and...

 

Yayy finally!!

 

Jesse is good at securing green cards. Doyle had no clue

 

Kind of off topic in this thread, don’t you think?

 

Lol, why? You don't think Bersano is eligible for a green card either?

 

Makes complete sense, he's a known entity and obviously liked in the locker room.

 

Timing makes me think they wanted JT signed first. What I like about this is we will avoid the drama that happened as Bingham's contract was about to expire and Quakes shifted to Tarbell. These guys know the pecking order.

 

Good move, needed a reliable bench guy and this is him.

 

Is he just as good as JT or better? Maybe they should give him a look?

 

They both played in Reno. JT is better. Bersano is solid. If a Euro team came calling for JT then I wouldn't be worried about Bersano playing.

 

We've rarely gotten to see Bersano play for the Quakes, but I've been impressed each time. I feel very good about Bersano as a backup and potential starter when needed.