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'{{Infobox football biography | name = Osvaldo Alonso | image = Alonso running.jpg | fullname = Osvaldo Alonso Moreno | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|11|11}} | birth_place = [[San Cristóbal, Cuba|San Cristóbal]], Cuba | height = {{convert|2.20|m|abbr=on}} | position = [[Midfielder]] | currentclub = [[Seattle Sounders FC]] | clubnumber = 6 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2005–2007 | clubs1 = [[FC Pinar del Río|Pinar del Río]] | caps1 = 42 | goals1 = 14 | years2 = 2008 | clubs2 = [[Charleston Battery]] | caps2 = 23 | goals2 = 4 | years3 = 2009– | clubs3 = [[Seattle Sounders FC]] | caps3 = 139 | goals3 = 6 | nationalyears1 = 2006–2007 | nationalteam1 = [[Cuba national football team|Cuba]] | nationalcaps1 = 16 | nationalgoals1 = 2 | medaltemplates = | pcupdate = August 28, 2013 | ntupdate = October 24, 2009 }} '''Osvaldo Alonso Moreno''' (born November 11, 1985 in [[San Cristóbal, Cuba|San Cristóbal]]) nicknamed "Honey Badger" by fans for his tenacious playstyle, is a Cuban-American [[Association football|footballer]] who currently plays for [[Seattle Sounders FC]] in [[Major League Soccer]]. Known for his style of harassing, tackling and covering the field, he gets forward to supply enough offense to be considered a threat.<ref>{{cite news|title=2012 Western Conference preview: L.A., Seattle lead a strong field|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/steve_davis/03/05/mls.western.conf2012/index.html?sct=sc_t11_a2|publisher=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=6 March 2012|date=2012-03-05}}</ref> ==Career== ===Professional=== Alonso began his career with [[FC Pinar del Río|Pinar del Río]] in his homeland, after which he [[Wet feet, dry feet policy|defected to the United States]] in June 2007.<ref name=chivas-tryout/> Alonso trained with [[Chivas USA]], and was offered a $12,900 [[Developmental roster|developmental contract]] with the team. Eventually, Alonso opted to sign with [[Charleston Battery]] on the theory he would get more playing time on a [[USL First Division]] team.<ref name=defected/> He impressed early after a strong outing the preseason [[Carolina Challenge Cup 2008]].,<ref name=usl-mvp-365>{{cite news | title=Alonso Named USL-1 Rookie of the Year | url=http://soccer365.com/united_soccer_leagues/story_131008204813.php | date=13 October 2008 | work=Soccer365.com | accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref> and ultimately enjoyed an impressive rookie season in which he started 31 games for the Battery and scored 7 goals.<ref name=battery-profile/> He was named 2008 team MVP and Newcomer of the Year on fan votes, the team's Player's Player of the Year by a team vote, and the USL-1 Rookie of the Year by league coach and GM vote.<ref name=usl-mvp-365/> ===Seattle Sounders FC=== He was signed by [[Seattle Sounders FC]] in 2008 where he quickly became a regular starter at defensive midfield. The 2009 MLS Season: Tenacious ballwinner, starting 28 of 29 appearances in regular season and playoffs. Played the full 90 minutes in 26 games, and all 210 minutes in both playoff games vs. HOU (10/29, 11/8). After missing three matches with quadriceps strain, returned to score on long-range blast vs. DC (6/17). Finished with one goal and three assists. All three assists came during first two matches. Appeared in two U.S. Open Cup games, including 90 minutes in the final. In February 2011, Alonso signed a contract extension with Seattle through the 2014 season.<ref>http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4155117</ref> Osvaldo Alonso in 2010: Returned from injury to help Seattle post the league's best record in the second half of the season. Started 23 of 25 appearances in regular season and playoffs, matching his 2009 totals with one goal and three assists. Scored the game-winner vs. CHV (10/15). Missed eight games due to a quadriceps strain (5/8) and returned vs. DAL (7/11). Seattle was 11-3-5 in regular season matches when he played at least 45 minutes. Also appeared in two U.S. Open Cup and five CONCACAF Champions League matches 2011: Workhorse of team, led field players with 33 appearances and 2891 minutes (ranked 12th among field players in MLS). Played full 90 minutes in each of his 32 MLS starts. Scored career-high three goals and matched his high with three assists. Scored game-winner at POR (7/10) by converting his first career penalty. Second on team with 54 shots. Selected as MLS All-Star for first time. Scored both goals in 2-2 draw at Comunicaciones (9/27) in CCL Group Stage match. Named U.S. Open Cup Player of the Round for his performance in the final (added late goal in 2-0 win over Chicago). Made 43 appearances and 40 starts across all competitions.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}} Alonso played 56 minutes in a 3-2 win over Chesea in the 2012 MLS All-Star Game. 2012: Named to MLS Best XI for first time in four-year career after a stellar season in midfield, leading the team with 30 starts. Compiled a team-high 2,688 minutes in regular season play, the second-highest total by field player in franchise history behind his 2011 total. Named MLS All-Star for the second straight season and voted team MVP for the third straight year. His lone goal of the season came on a 65th minute game- winner at COL (7/28) when he volleyed a 12-yard shot into the back of the net. Named 2012 U.S. Open Cup Player of the Tournament after scoring four goals and two assists in four games, including the winner vs. ATL (5/30) and a 30-yard volley vs. CAL FC (6/5). Totaled five goals and five assists while leading the team with 42 starts and 3,749 minutes across all competitions. In 2013, Alonso was named an inactive MLS All-Star. Earning his third All-Star selection in his five-year MLS career being voted team MVP in 2010 & 2011.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2017012805_2011_team_awards_announced_osv.html | work=The Seattle Times | first=Joshua | last=Mayers | title=2011 team awards announced, Osvaldo Alonso voted MVP | date=2011-12-14}}</ref> ===International=== Alonso served as captain of the Cuba U-23 national team during qualification for the [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's tournament|men's football tournament]] at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]]. He made his debut for the senior [[Cuba national football team|Cuban national team]] in a [[Caribbean Nations Cup 2006-07]] match against the [[Turks and Caicos Islands national football team|Turks & Caicos Islands]] in September 2006. During his time with the Cuban national team he earned 17 caps, scoring two goals.<ref name=battery-profile>{{cite web | title=Charleston Battery: The Team: Roster | url=http://www.charlestonbattery.com/team_roster.asp?pid=2316 | work=CharlestonBattery.com | accessdate=2008-07-12}}</ref> His final appearance for the national team was at the [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup]] in June 2007 against [[Panama national football team|Panama]]. He defected to the United States, walking away from his team in a Houston area [[Wal-Mart]] during the Gold Cup Tournament.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Michelle|title=Cuban defector Osvaldo Alonso relishing freedom, MLS success Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/17/3238568/cuban-defector-osvaldo-alonso.html#storylink=cpy|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/17/3238568/cuban-defector-osvaldo-alonso.html|publisher=Miami Herald|accessdate=16 October 2013}}</ref> On June 19, 2012, Alonso became a citizen of the United States of America<ref name="citizenship">{{cite web|url=http://www.soundersfc.com/news/articles/2012/06-june/osvaldo-alonso.aspx|title=Alonso a U.S. Citizen|publisher=SoundersFC.com|date=19 June 2012|first=Matt|last=Gaschk}}</ref> and he stated that he would like to play for the United States national team despite playing for Cuba in the past.<ref name="seattle-times">{{cite web | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2018472702_osvaldo_alonso_becomes_a_us_ci.html | title=Osvaldo Alonso becomes a U.S. citizen, holds out hope for U.S. men's national team | publisher=Seattle Times | date=19 June 2012 | accessdate=14 June 2013 | author=FIFA}}</ref> Alonso has not been called up to the Cuban national team since he defected to the United States in June 2007. The FIFA statutes state that: "If a Player who has been fielded by his Association in an international match in accordance with art. 5 par. 2 permanently loses the nationality of that country without his consent or against his will due to a decision by a government authority, he may request permission to play for another Association whose nationality he already has or has acquired."<ref name="fifa-statutes">{{cite web | url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/generic/01/48/60/05/fifastatuten2011_e.pdf | title=FIFA Statutes, III. Eligibility to Play for Representative Teams | publisher=FIFA.com | accessdate=July 10, 2012 | pages=61}}</ref> ==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="3"|Playoffs !colspan="3"|[[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]] !colspan="3"|[[CONCACAF Champions League|Champions League]] !colspan="3"|Total |- !Apps !Goals !Assists !Apps !Goals !Assists !Apps !Goals !Assists !Apps !Goals !Assists !Apps !Goals !Assists |- | rowspan="1"|[[Charleston Battery]] |[[2008 United Soccer Leagues|2008]] |23||4||2||2||1||0||6||2||0||-||-||-||31||7||2 |- | rowspan="5" |[[Seattle Sounders FC]] |[[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]] |27||1||3||2||0||0||2||0||0||-||-||-||31||1||3 |- |[[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]] |23||1||3||2||0||0||2||0||0||5||0||1||32||1||4 |- |[[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]] |33||3||3||2||1||0||4||1||0||8||2||0||47||7||3 |- |[[2012 Major League Soccer season|2012]] |30||1||2||4||0||0||4||4||2||3||0||1||41||5||5 |- |[[2013 Major League Soccer season|2013]] |26||0||1||2||1||0||0||0||0||4||0||0||32||1||1 |- !colspan="2"|Career total !162!!10!!14!!14!!3!!0!!18!!7!!2!!20!!2!!2!!214!!22!!18 |} ==Defection to the United States== {{See also|List of Cuban soccer players who have defected to the United States}} Alonso defected from Cuba while the team was in [[Houston, Texas]] to face the [[Honduras national football team|Honduran team]]. Another Cuban teammate, [[Lester Moré]], defected to the United States during the team's same trip to the United States.<ref name=chivas-tryout>{{cite news | title=Two Cuban Defectors Will Get Chivas Tryout | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/29/AR2007062902186.html | work=[[The Washington Post]] | date=30 June 2007 | page=E02 | accessdate=2008-12-22}}</ref> Alonso was with teammates at a [[Wal-Mart]] when he went off by himself while browsing through merchandise and then left the store.<ref name=defected>{{cite news | first=Andrew | last=Miller | date=12 July 2008 | title=Player who defected from Cuba realized dream, longs to see family again | work=[[The Post and Courier]] | url=http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jul/12/sweet_freedom47294/ | accessdate=2008-07-12}}</ref> Alonso walked several blocks from the store until he found a man who spoke Spanish and borrowed a cell phone to call a friend in [[Miami]], [[Florida]]. ==Honors== ===Pinar del Río=== *'''[[Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba]] (1):''' 2006 ===Seattle Sounders FC=== * '''[[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup]] (3):''' [[2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2009]], [[2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2010]], [[2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2011]] ===Individual=== *'''[[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]] (2)''': [[2011 Major League Soccer season|2011]], [[2012 Major League Soccer season|2012]] *'''[[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star Inactive List]] (1)''': [[2013 Major League Soccer season|2013]] *'''[[MLS Best XI]] (1)''': [[2012 Major League Soccer season|2012]] ==See also== *[[List of current MLS players]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/osvaldo-alonso MLS player profile] *{{NFT player|pid=1333}} {{Cuba Squad 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup}} {{Seattle Sounders FC squad}} {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> | NAME = Alonso Moreno, Osvaldo | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = Cuban footballer | DATE OF BIRTH = 1985-11-11 | PLACE OF BIRTH = [[San Cristóbal, Cuba|San Cristóbal]], [[Cuba]] | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Alonso, Osvaldo}} [[Category:1985 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Pinar del Río Province]] [[Category:Cuban defectors]] [[Category:Cuban footballers]] [[Category:Cuba international footballers]] [[Category:2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]] [[Category:Cuban expatriate footballers]] [[Category:Cuban expatriates in the United States]] [[Category:Expatriate soccer players in the United States]] [[Category:USL First Division players]] [[Category:Charleston Battery players]] [[Category:Major League Soccer players]] [[Category:Seattle Sounders FC players]] [[Category:Association football midfielders]] [[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]] [[Category:Designated Players (MLS)]]'