Forward Diego Rubio has obtained his U.S. green card and no longer takes up an international spot on Sporting Kansas City's roster, the club announced Tuesday.
Sporting KC now has seven international players on its roster: Latif Blessing, Cristian Lobato, James Musa, Soni Mustivar, Tyler Pasher, Daniel Salloi and Ilie. The club has one open international slot ahead of Major League Soccer’s roster freeze on Friday.
The MLS roster freeze date requires all teams to submit a final 30-man roster for the remainder of 2017. Per MLS rules, no changes can be made to a club's roster during the period beginning Friday through the day after 2017 MLS Cup, which is scheduled for Dec. 9.
Rubio has tallied three goals and one assist in 11 competitive appearances since returning from a long-term knee injury on June 17. He scored the all-important equalizer in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Aug. 9 as Sporting KC tied the San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 before prevailing in a penalty shootout. Ten days later, the 24-year-old Chilean bagged the game-winner in a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas.
