Keon Daniel may not return to the Philadelphia Union this season, according to a source close to the player.
The source told the Brotherly Game that, "Keon [Daniel] isn't coming back this season. I know people thought he would return in a week or two, but no. Not until next season."
When asked about the reasons for why Daniel will not return this season, the source said, "Someone forgot to redo his work permit or visa."
A league source told Scott Kessler, the Brotherly Game's Managing Editor, that if Daniel is unavailable for the remainder of the season the Union can utilize his international roster spot for another player. However, this situation would require that Daniel either be released or placed on an injury list by the MLS roster freeze. The problem with the latter is that Daniel is not technically in a position to be placed on such a list.
The problems for the 25-year-old stem from his attempt to return from international duty. Daniel was recently called up to play in 2014 World Cup qualifiers for Trinidad and Tobago. Due to playing for T&T, Daniel missed the Union's September 7 game, a 4-4 draw with New England.
Some time before Saturday, September 10, reports surfaced that Daniel would not be available for that day's match versus the Portland Timbers because of immigration issues.
Although the team would not confirm or deny the reports, Kerith Gabriel, of the Philadelphia Daily News and Philly.com, tweeted that a representative from the Union sent saying that Daniel would "not be available for tomorrow's match. We are working to resolve the issues and hope to have a prompt solution."
Since coming to the Union, after playing with the Puerto Rico Islanders, Daniel has played in 18 games, starting 9 of them. Daniel has played a total of 888 minutes, accumulating one goal, two assists, with six fouls committed and one caution.
Daniel's last match for the Union was August 20 versus the Columbus Crew, when he logged 73 minutes and was credited with one assist.