The Philadelphia Union announced on Thursday the signing of Costa Rican left back Porfirio Lopez.
The 26-year-old Lopez, who was on loan with Costa Rica’s First Division Champion Liga Deportiva Alajuelense from Chinese Dalian Haichang.
The press release from the Union says, “Lopez will be eligible to join the Union upon receiving his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per MLS and Club policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
The 5′ 11” Lopez debuted with Santos de Guapiles in 2005, playing in 42 matches. In 2009 he moved to Puntarenas where he made 31 appearances and scored one goal. The defender moved to China’s First Division side Dalian Haichang in 2010, scoring two goals in ten appearances, before returning to Costa Rica on loan to Alajuelense.
Below is a highlight reel of Lopez from 2010.
Awesome!!!
How many internationals is this now? I’m worried that this is a prelude to Torres and Daniel not coming back.
From the league’s 2011 roster rules:
“In 2011, a total of 144 international slots are divided among the 18 clubs. Each club began with eight international slots, which are tradable. There is no limit on the number of international slots on each club’s roster.
“The remaining roster slots must belong to domestic players. For clubs based in the United States, a domestic player is either a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident (green card holder) or the holder of other special status (e.g., refugee or asylum status).”
So, what do we have: Daniel, Gomez, Khalfan, Martinez, Mondragon, Pauno, Tait, Torres, Valdes, which is nine, and Lopez makes ten. Le Toux has a green card so he doesn’t count. Do Mwanga and Houapeu also have green cards or other special status (I think Mwanga would qualify)? If not, then the number is eleven or twelve.
I think Mwanga holds citizenship for the US so I don’t think he counts against. Levi I believe does, however. I haven’t heard too much about Torres’ returning to America, but I haven’t heard too much about him staying here either, so I think he might be leaving. Also, the team and Keon’s agent have said he’s part of the Union’s future, but until that’s done I don’t buy it. I like him and all, but if it’s down to cutting a player to clear up a spot, he’s one of the first to go after Tait and Levi. The Visa issue has dragged on long enough in my eyes. I just really hope it works out before the season starts, because I don’t WANT to see him go, but it might be what has to be done. OR we trade for an international slot or 2 this season.
Do we know anything about him style wise? Speed demon, stay at home or what?
All I heard is that he plays like Sheanon Williams, So that was encouragingly vague.