Gordon Williams, Contributor

Chivas USA's Jason Hernandez (left) and Shavar Thomas of Jamaica (right) celebrate with Claudio Suarez after Suarez scored a goal against the New England Revolution in the first half of an MLS soccer game in July last year in Foxborough, Massachusetts. - AP

National footballer Shavar Thomas said he has shaken off a frustrating episode in Jamaica, which delayed his return to his professional club in the United States for several weeks.

Thomas finally re-entered the US on February 28, more than three weeks after Jamaica's Febuary 6 friendly international against Costa Rica, when he was a member of the Reggae Boyz squad, and long after Chivas USA expected him to rejoin the California-based team.

He is currently back in preseason camp and fully participating in the team's preparations for the start of 2008 US Major League Soccer (MLS). But Thomas admitted he is still a bit behind his teammates.

'Getting there'

"I wouldn't say I've caught up completely," the 27-year-old central defender, who played extensively for Chivas USA in the March 5-9 Texas Pro Soccer Festival tournament in the US and is in his second year with the club, said. "But I'm getting there."

The delay in Thomas' return to Chivas USA stemmed from his US work permit, which expired on December 31, 2007. He had been in Jamaica since mid-December waiting for a petition from the MLS, which he needed to apply for the permit that allows him to play professional football in the US.

After receiving the petition in January, Thomas said he was unable to secure a prompt interview appointment with the US embassy in Jamaica. The earliest available date was May 28. The MLS season begins late March.

Following stepped-up communications involving officials from the MLS and Chivas USA, Thomas and the embassy, the player was finally allowed into the embassy for an interview on February 25.

His successful application led to the acquisition of the permit a few days later and his eventual departure.

Thomas called the ordeal frustrating and said it hampered his preparation with Chivas USA, a club he joined last year after being traded from the Los Angeles Galaxy, but still carved out an outstanding season.

"The coaches want you here, the team wants you here," he said. "It kinda sets you back a little bit.

Frustration

"It was kind of frustrating going back and forth," Thomas added, referring to trips he made to the embassy in Liguanea, St Andrew, without being able to enter because security guards at times refused to let him in.

"It was a whole lot of stuff," he said. "It was a fiasco."

While in Jamaica, the former Excelsior Manning Cup star and national youth captain trained with his hometown club Arnett Gardens of the Cash Plus National Premier League. However, he realised something was missing.

"The biggest thing is you're not doing what your team (Chivas USA) is doing," he explained.

The new work permit is valid for a year, but Thomas, who first played in World Cup qualifiers as a 20-year-old, is hoping that he will not have to endure the same ordeal next time.

Although he did not play against Costa Rica, Thomas is anxious to participate in Jamaica's bid to qualify for World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Meanwhile, he said his teammates have welcomed him back to Chivas USA, his fourth MLS club. The warm reception has made his transition easier.

"I'm happy to be where I'm at right now," Thomas said.

Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.