Minnesota United announced today the club has signed a new contract with veteran midfielder and captain Osvaldo Alonso.
“We’ve managed to retain a player who I believe has been the best in his position for the last 10 years in MLS,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “You look at the makeup of the player and it’s more than just his ability, there’s been loads of players with ability that fall by the wayside and never had a career. Ozzie has maximized everything that he has ever had: his talent, his personality, his leadership qualities and his professionalism. It’s more than just his football, everyone knows how good he is on the field, you can’t have enough people in your organization like him.”
The four-time MLS All-Star, four-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winner, 2016 MLS Cup and 2014 Supporters’ Shield champion is staying in Minnesota after two breakthrough seasons with the Loons. Having extended his playoff streak to 12 straight seasons, Alonso has been a key player in the Loons’ success, scoring the first-ever goal at Allianz Field and captaining Minnesota through a U.S. Open Cup Final in 2019 and the club’s first Western Conference Final appearance in 2020. Throughout his 12 seasons in MLS, Alonso has played a total of 28,944 minutes across 314 regular season games and 29 playoff games.
Prior to joining the Sounders in 2009, Alonso played with the Charleston Battery in 2008, where he earned 2008 first team All-USL First Division honors and was voted the league’s Rookie of the Year. Previously, he played three seasons (2005–07) for FC Pinar del Rio, winning the Cuban championship in 2006. He also represented Cuba 17 times at the senior level, making his debut for the senior Cuban National Team in a Caribbean Nations Cup match against the Turks & Caicos Islands in September 2006. He left the Cuban National Team in June of 2007 during the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Houston prior to a match against Honduras. He gained full U.S citizenship on June 16, 2012.
MNUFC returns to the pitch for its fifth season in MLS. Follow Minnesota United’s social channels and check our website at mnufc.com for regular updates on the club.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs new contract with midfielder Osvaldo Alonso.
VITALS
Osvaldo Alonso
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 11.11.1985 (35 years old)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 155 lbs
Birthplace: San Cristobal, Cuba
