DEFENDER JOE Addo received his Green Card, signifying his lawful admission for permanent residence in the United States, on Monday. The 29-year-old native of Accra, Ghana, is now classified as a Senior Roster Player under Major League Soccer (MLS) guidelines, instead of his previous status as a Senior International Player.
MLS rosters are allowed only three Senior International Players; Addo's new status drops Tampa Bay's international number to two players - defender Craig Demmin (Trinidad & Tobago) and Mamadou Diallo (Senegal).
MLS rosters are limited to a total of 18 Senior Roster/Senior International Players. Tampa Bay's 2001 roster also includes youngsters Devin Barclay and Albert Munoz, who do not count against the 18-man limit due to their Project-40 and Junior International designations.
After a slow start (8 games played) in 1999, the 2000 season was a breakout year for Addo. He started all 32 games and played every minute, 2,934, in that season, scoring 1 goal and adding one assists.
Thus far in 2001, he has played in 10 games (starting 8), scoring one goal.
The Mutiny (2-9-1, 7 pts., 4th Central Division) travel to Columbus to take on the Crew on Saturday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m.