Josh Yaro gets his green card

Dave Leno let a little secret slip during the broadcast of the Philadelphia Union’s 2017 U.S. Open Cup match against the Harrisburg City Islanders – Josh Yaro got his green card this week and no longer counts as an international player for the club. Since the Open Cup limits the amount of international players to five, this allowed the Union to play an additional international player in Josh’s spot. Looking forward however, the open international slot could also open the door for other things.

The Union currently must have one international player on loan with Bethlehem Steel FC at all times in order to keep their roster in compliance with MLS rules. With Yaro now not counting against that cap, the Union can either bring all but one player at Steel back into the fold or (perhaps more enticingly) pick up an international player during the summer transfer window. Either way, it has to feel good for the Union to finally have options.

Yaro was born in Ghana, but went to high school in California. He spent three years at Georgetown University, and is in his second season of playing professionally for the Union. He’s returning from surgery in the preseason to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, and played in the Union’s last MLS match against New York City FC as well as a full 90 against the Harrisburg City Islanders.