Osvaldo Alonso's story is absolutely incredible. From Cuba, Alonso defected to the United States while in Houston for a Gold Cup match with the Cuban National Team in June of 2007. As the story goes, Alonso was with his teammates shopping at a Walmart. He slowly eased away through the aisles, then walked out of the store. He had made the decision previously to abandon his country, but he was also making the brave move to leave his family, friends, and team behind. He asked someone on the street to use their phone, so he called a friend in Miami, and the rest is history. He started in the USL with Charleston Battery, but got picked up by the expansion side Seattle Sounders.
In 2008, Alonso became a regular starter for the Sounders, and it stayed that way for a very, very long time. He got to see his parents for the first time since defecting in May of 2011, when they attended one his matches against Portland. For the reason that this series focuses on the past 10 years, we'll fast forward to 2014, but his story is too good to go without sharing.
In 2014, Ozzie Alonso entered his sixth MLS season with Seattle. Most of his highlights aren't the type that you'll find in YouTube highlight packages. He was a defensive midfielder, and perhaps the very best in the league at that for many years. He was coming off three consecutive MLS All-Star selections in 2011-2013, as well as a Best XI selection in 2012. He also helped win US Open Cups in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Fans fell in love with Alonso's fiery play style in the middle. During one of the best MLS games of the last decade, Alonso was credited with a secondary assist on a Clint Dempsey goal. The Cascadia Cup match with Portland ended 4-4. In the same matchup during the US Open Cup, Alonso scored a goal in a match that Seattle won in penalties. Ozzie hit a screamer of epic proportions in a friendly against Tottenham, hitting it bar down. No. 6 picked up another assist on a 94th minute winner in September. Alonso won his fourth Open Cup as Seattle defeated Philly in the final. In the first postseason game, he glanced a header home. The LA Galaxy ended up sending them home.
In 2015, Alonso did not contribute to any goal, so there's not many highlights to showcase. He played in 22/34 matches, and the Sounders finished fourth in the West. A muscle strain forced him to miss the playoffs, in which Seattle lost to FC Dallas. In 2016, he seemingly had a random spurt of offensive statistics. He set his highest marks in both goals and assists during the 2016 season, in the 2014-current time period. In the second match of the season, Alonso put one in at the back post. In May, he assisted a late Jordan Morris match-winner. In a 5-0 win over FC Dallas, Alonso assisted two consecutive goals. In September, he struck with an ultimate level of swaz to help blow out the LA Galaxy. Two matches later, he bounced one home on the first-time for his 9th career goal. The Sounders finished fourth in the West. They made a fairly straight-forward run to the cup. In MLS Cup 2016, Alonso and the Sounders were victorious, beating Toronto FC in penalties. He reportedly took eight pain-killing injections just to make it through the game, a testament to why Seattle fans loved him so much.
In 2017, Ozzie scored a dramatic goal against New England. Facing a 3-0 deficit, the Sounders crawled back to 3-2 with mere minutes to play. To complete the comeback, Alonso nodded home the header to earn a 3-3 draw. He was credited with a secondary assist on a Will Bruin goal that defeated Houston on its own. Alonso got another secondary assist on a 94th minute Clint Dempsey header to draw Portland. On a Lamar Neagle goal that was quite well worked, it was once again a secondary assist for Alonso. The Sounders finished second in the West. A strained quad held Alonso out of the playoffs and MLS Cup 2017, in which Seattle lost to Toronto FC this time around. He has dealt with a ton of injuries in his career.
He came back in 2018, though two separate hamstring injures saw him miss multiple months as well. Alonso got a secondary assist on a Gustav Svensson screaming hit from long range. These MLS-only hockey assists became a common occurrence for him, as he added another one against DC United. It was a second place finish for the Seattle Sounders, Alonso contributed 3 assists on the year. In the 2018 postseason, Portland sent Seattle packing in the Conference Semis. This was the last time he played for his beloved Seattle Sounders. He became a free agent after the season. In an emotional exit, he decided to sign with Minnesota United. Alonso said, “There was no other option but to go to Minnesota, and I’m really happy to be here. But yes, it was tough [leaving] after 10 years in Seattle, pretty much a complete life in that city.”
In his first season with Minnesota, he scored twice and assisted twice. In an April match with NYCFC, Osvaldo Alonso opened the Wonderwall. He set his feet and struck his laces straight through the ball, volleying home the first ever goal at Allianz Field. On September 25th, Alonso provided both a goal and an assist for the Loons. Alonso redirected the shot into the back of the net, then assisted a dramatic Hassani Dotson winner. The victory gave Minnesota United their first playoff berth. It was a short postseason, falling 2-1 to the Galaxy.
The 2020 season saw a total of just 750 minutes played for Alonso, he struggled with a muscle injury. Minnesota United finished in fourth place, and he was able to participate in the playoffs at a limited capacity. He started the latter two playoff matchups, including a loss to the Seattle Sounders, his former club. Minnesota held a 2-1 lead with one minute left, but lost without the help of extra time. In 2021, Osvaldo Alonso returned to playing at a decent rate, scoring and assisting one a piece. His most recent MLS goal took place on October 23rd, when the captain sent a rebound into the back of the net. He earned a secondary assist in a home match against Vancouver. Minnesota went out to Portland in the playoffs.
Osvaldo Alonso's name is likely not one that you've heard much anytime recently. He signed a one-year deal with Atlanta United prior to the 2022 season. He played 332 minutes, starting and playing in just four games. His ACL injury held him out for 14 months. On June 10, 2023, he returned to the pitch, but not for long unfortunately. He made seven short sub appearances totaling to about one full match, 91 minutes. Alonso played in Leagues Cup, showing some of his fiery attitude against Cruz Azul. He then suffered a knee injury that has held him out until the time of the writing of this article. Last night, which was Wednesday, November 1st, Alonso returned to the bench for Atlanta in their playoff match in Columbus. He did not appear in the match, but at least he is back available. Game two of the series will take place on the weekend, as Atlanta United will aim to save their season, and possibly Alonso will get a look at home. Regardless, Ozzie Alonso is a certified MLS legend and it truly hurts to see him riddled by injuries. He would be much higher on the list if his first five years with Seattle took place within the last ten. Osvaldo Alonso comes in at #38.
YEAR | CLUB | MINUTES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
2023 | ATL | 91 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | ATL | 332 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | MIN | 1,412 | 1 | 1 |
2020 | MIN | 750 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | MIN | 2,368 | 2 | 2 |
2018 | SEA | 1,832 | 0 | 3 |
2017 | SEA | 2,074 | 1 | 3 |
2016 | SEA | 2,826 | 3 | 4 |
2015 | SEA | 1,857 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | SEA | 2,952 | 0 | 2 |
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