Western New York Flash midfielder Caroline Seger is in the process of obtaining U.S. residency and should soon be granted it, a source close to the situation revealed. That clears the way for Brazilian star Maurine, who has been linked to the Flash.
Western New York’s roster currently features the maximum number of six internationals: Seger (Swedish), Christine Sinclair (Canadian), Kelly Parker (Canadian), Candance Chapman (Canadian), Gemma Davison (English) and Marta (Brazilian). Ali Riley is a New Zealand international but has U.S. citizenship and does not count against the international player cap.
By WPS rules, a player that holds a green card or U.S. residency does not count against the international player allotment, so Seger’s pending change in residency allows the Flash to add Maurine. The Brazilian is not expected to arrive in Western New York for several weeks. She is still in the process of obtaining her visa.
UPDATE (March 26, 8 p.m.): The Equalizer has learned that Marta’s agent, Fabiano, demanded that Western New York sign Maurine as part of the team’s acquisition of Marta.
Christine Sinclair is also reportedly in the process of obtaining a green card. If Sinclair could obtain a green card, that would clear yet another international spot for WNY, which surely has everyone wondering: How did WPS teams not try this maneuver two years ago?
