Jamaica native Williams secures green card

Villalba also has received documents during preseason.

Romario Williams is the second Atlanta United player to receive a green card after the team announced the process was completed Monday.

Williams, a native of Jamaica, joins Hector Villalba, a native of Argentina, in receiving the documents during the preseason.

Though the team has declined to discuss which players they are working to help, Josef Martinez (Venezuela) and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (Argentina) are also expected to receive green cards.

Within MLS rules, acquiring a green card changes the status of the player from an International. Each MLS team starts with eight slots for International, or non-U.S., players. The slots can be traded. Atlanta United has eight slots this season.

Among the remaining players on Atlanta United’s roster who are classified as international: Franco Escobar and Ezequiel Barco (Argentina), Jose Hernandez (Venezuela), Oliver Shannon (England), Julian Gressel and Gordon Wild (Germany), and Miguel Almiron (Paraguay). Players who are sent on loan for the season don’t count against the international slots.

At this point, Atlanta United would need only to free one more international slot.

MLS teams have until March 1 to make rosters compliant with league rules.

Williams, 23, is a striker who spent last season on loan at Charleston. He is expected this season to back up Martinez with the first team and make possible appearances with its USL team, Atlanta United 2.

SEAN M. HAFFEY / GETTY IMAGES Now that Atlanta United’s Romario Williams has received his green card, he’s no longer classified as an International on the roster.