Green card good for Mears and Sounders

We got some time today with Sounders right back Tyrone Mears, who has received his U.S. green card. The Sounders benefit from the opening of an international roster spot, but Mears indicated that he benefits personally as well.

“I really like living in America, especially in Seattle,” he said. “I definately see a future here; so I was really, really happy with that.”

Here’s the news release from the club:

Seattle Sounders FC today announced that defender Tyrone Mears has received his U.S. Green Card, granting him permanent resident status in the United States, effective immediately. With resident status, Mears no longer occupies an international roster slot on the club's roster.

There are now seven players that occupy international roster slots on Seattle's active roster: Oalex Anderson, Oniel Fisher, Erik Friberg, Andreas Ivanschitz, Joevin Jones, Román Torres and Nelson Valdez. Earlier this month, Seattle acquired another international roster slot and Targeted Allocation Money from Toronto FC in exchange for General Allocation funds.

Mears, 33, has 35 appearances for Sounders FC since joining the club prior to the 2015 season. The English veteran led the organization with 33 games played - all starts - last season, recording one goal and three assists, earning spots on the FOX Soccer and Goal.com MLS best XI lists.

Following a bye weekend, Sounders FC returns to MLS play on Saturday, April 2 against the Montreal Impact. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field, with local television coverage on Q13 FOX beginning at 6:30 p.m. PT. Univision-Seattle is set to carry the match in Spanish, with KIRO Radio 97.3 FM (English radio) and El Rey 1360 AM (Spanish radio) also carrying the contest regionally.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Green card good for Mears and Sounders."