Alan Velasco is coming to FC Dallas.
That much we've known for a while. The question, lately, has been: when?
The Argentine winger, who FCD signed for the largest transfer fee in club history, is still in the process of getting his U.S. visa approved.
Things are moving in the right direction, as FC Dallas was able to expedite his interview, one of the final steps in the process. The club anticipates he'll arrive next week, shortly ahead of the season opener against Toronto FC on Feb. 26.
"The great news is he'll have his appointment this week now. We've been able to continually get it moved up," FCD President Dan Hunt told The Striker Texas on Wednesday. "It's a few days to get your visa. It can take a little bit of time. Hopefully he can be here next week."
Velasco has been training with his former club Independiente as he waits for his paperwork to come through, and Hunt said the team is confident he'll be fit when he arrives.
"He's chomping at the bit to get here when we're talking to him. I'm going to be thrilled to have him," Hunt said. "But it's been a difficult problem and every MLS team has been suffering through it."
Among teams coping with visa headaches is fellow Texas team Austin FC, with defender Ruben Gabrielsen arriving in Texas on Tuesday night. Orlando City is still waiting to hear back on the status of Brazilian center back Antonio Carlos, Inter Miami is working on bringing winger Robert Taylor from Finland, and that's just a few examples.
"There's been some barriers that seem to have built up. I know Covid restrictions have made things tougher," Hunt said. "It's been hard for a lot of MLS teams."
Teams outside the league have also run into difficulties. Caribbean champion Cavaly of Haiti had to withdraw from the Concacaf Champions League because it was unable to acquire visas and Costa Rican club Santos de Guápiles will be missing star forward Luis Paradela in the competition next week against New York City FC after his visa was declined.
FCD is eager to get the paperwork processed and bring Velasco to Frisco, where they can evaluate the winger first-hand and determine when he might be able to make his MLS debut.