[MLS] Aston Villa could sign Brad Guzan during the European transfer period this summer, even though it failed to acquire him via appeal last winter and must wait 12 months before utilizing that process again. How so?

Since Guzan has been playing regularly for the past year, he may meet the minimum national team caps (appearances) requirement by which a work visa is granted automatically. Thus Villa would not need to file an appeal. The year-long waiting period applies only to appeals for that particular player, not to an acquisition itself. Other teams, of course, could also bid for his services as well.

The 75 percent caps benchmark is computed from the match in which the player made his first appearance, and games for which he wasn't available - because of suspension, injury, or other reasons - can be excluded. Games for which Guzan wasn't called up, such as the match in Poland last March, won't count against him if sufficient cause can be shown.

Guzan debuted last summer at the Copa America against Colombia, and including that match, has played eight of 13 matches, which is slightly more than 60 percent. If Guzan, his representatives and Villa can successfully make the case he wasn't available for two of those matches, his record of eight appearances in 11 games (for which he was available) computes to just under 78 percent, and thus meets the benchmark.