Too many internationals

Wednesday’s trade for Argentine defensive midfielder Matias Laba makes it 13 international players signed to MLS contracts in Vancouver.

South African Ethen Sampson, who played for the reserves last season, is also close to signing as cover for right-back Steven Beitashour, while the Whitecaps are also close to completing a move for an experienced international playmaker.

That will make it 15 internationals, and the Caps have 11 international (non North American) roster spots. MLS teams have to be roster compliant by March 1.

Teams can trade for more international spots (each club started with eight), but here’s how the Caps are likely to get down to 11 without a deal:

Jamaican Darren Mattocks is awaiting word on his green card, and the league could give the Caps a break if Mattocks is close to domestic status;

Ghanaian midfielder Aminu Abdallah is sorting out his visa situation and will be loaned to the Charleston Battery if the paperwork comes through;

The Caps could loan two more MLS-signed internationals to Charleston: seventh-overall pick Andre Lewis from Jamaica, and Senegalese forward Mamadou Diouf, a second-round pick out of the University of Connecticut.