Visa issues leave Mount Pleasant 10 players short as LA Galaxy take control of Champions Cup tie

Mount Pleasant FA arrived in California with a depleted squad after 10 players were unable to secure US visas in time for their CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 first leg against LA Galaxy.Seven of the affected players are Haitian, according to club officials, with Haiti among the countries covered by a US travel ban that has tightened entry requirements and complicated short-notice sporting travel.Mount Pleasant sporting director Paul Christie said: “We don’t want to just show up for the game, we want to be able to compete, but we are not being given the opportunity to be at our best.”CONCACAF said it had been in contact with Mount Pleasant and was providing support around the visa process, while stressing that clubs are responsible for securing travel documents within diplomatic timelines.The confederation added that competition rules allow each club to register up to 35 players and said Mount Pleasant had “ample time” to complete the process following the official draw in December 2025.Mount Pleasant head coach Theodore Whitmore said the issue had limited his selection options but urged his players to focus on the match, with the Jamaican club bringing in academy players to help fill out the travelling group.The disruption underlines the operational risk for cross-border competitions that rely on predictable mobility for players and staff, particularly as North America prepares to stage the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico.CONCACAF stated: “Considering the competition regulations, and that the club had ample time to complete the visa application process following the competition’s official draw in December 2025, the series will proceed as scheduled.”On the pitch, LA Galaxy capitalised on the imbalance as Gabriel Pec scored in the sixth minute and added two late goals to complete a hat-trick in a 3-0 win in Carson, California, in the first leg.The return match is scheduled for March 19 in Kingston, with the winner set to face either San Diego FC or Toluca FC in the quarter-finals.