16 days after LA Galaxy’s last game, MLS returns to action. New signing Marco Reus will make his debut tonight after another masterpiece from the club’s management.
Normally, a fan base doesn’t have to worry too much when their team is on time off, but that wasn’t the case for Galaxy supporters during their team’s break, as a certain German legend caught their attention.
On August 15, exactly one week after the LA Galaxy were eliminated from the Leagues Cup by the Seattle Sounders, Marco Reus was announced as LA’s newest addition. It took several months to bring the German to Los Angeles, but just getting his signature is not enough to make him ready to play.
In order for Reus to represent the Galaxy in the United States, he first had to apply for a visa as a non-US citizen. Internationally recognized athletes are eligible for a P1 visa, which is intended for individuals with extraordinary ability in sports, entertainment or the arts.
Like most of us when it comes to bureaucracy, the LA Galaxy have had problems in the past getting visas for their players on time. Press conferences suggested that it was possible that Reus would be ineligible to play against Atlanta United. When you invest so much in big-name players from abroad and promote their debut in advertising campaigns before their availability is confirmed, not getting the visa in time is a failure.
Fortunately, the Galaxy under Will Kuntz are a completely different caliber than they once were. Efficiency and accountability are the new norms, as Corner of the Galaxy’s reporting shows.
Gordon Kljestan, Zack Murshedi and Oliver Curry coordinated a massive effort involving club owners AEG, immigration lawyers and even a congressman to get Marco Reus his visa. Together, the team was able to set up an appointment for last Thursday and managed to complete the process and get the all-important PI visa the same day.
Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Marco Reus is ready to make his debut for LA Galaxy against Atlanta tonight. Greg Vanney said Reus has been training hard since arriving in LA and should be ready to put on a show in front of what is expected to be a sold-out Dignity Health Sports Park.
PHOTO: LA GALAXY
