Playing days may soon be over for Bulgarian star Hristo Stoitchkov if D.C. United decides to drop him from the active roster, Washington Post wrote June 11.

United may drop Stoitchkov, one of the world's most accomplished soccer players of the last 15 years, if it adds a non-U.S. player age 25 or older because each MLS team is permitted only three experienced foreigners.

The article cites team officials as saying that Stoitchkov would remain with the club as an assistant coach, a position he has held along with his forward responsibilities since coming to Washington in a trade with Chicago during the offseason, and could return to the team as a player later this year.

But at age 37 and having made little on-field contribution in five brief appearances, it seems unlikely he would be pressed back into service, Washington Post comments.

Many international players in MLS, such as United captain Marco Etcheverry, are exempt from the rule because they have received a green card from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Others are exempt because they are younger than 25. Stoitchkov has been awaiting a green card for several months, but until he receives one, United officials have determined they can no longer have a part-time player filling a valuable foreign slot.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!