Minnesota United today acquired midfielder Osvaldo Alonso after selecting him off waivers. In a separate earlier transaction, the Loons traded for the top spot in the waiver order as well as two fourth-round picks in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft while sending a second-round pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft and the fourth spot in the waiver order to Orlando City SC.
Alonso is joining the Loons after 10 years with the Sounders. Throughout his 10 seasons in Seattle, Alonso played a total of 23,380 minutes across 277 games with 24 assists, and won the MLS Cup in 2016, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014 and the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2014.
The four-time MLS All-Star is a proven leader, having been named to MLS Best XI in 2012 and named team captain for the Sounders and the Cuban U23 national team during the 2008 Summer Olympic qualifiers.
“We’ve just added a great leader and a warrior to our roster,” said MNUFC Sporting Director Manny Lagos. “It’ll be nice to have him on the field playing for us rather than against us. He’s going to come in and complement and develop our midfield core. He has high expectations for this club and this season. We believe he will add leadership, steel and grit, and will continue to mold a winning mentality on and off the field.”
Last season, he started 21 games in 25 game appearances, and for the sixth time in his 10-year career, recorded three assists during the regular season. During the 2016 championship season, Alonso matched a career high with three goals while setting a personal best of four assists. For his efforts, Alonso was voted Team MVP for the fifth time in nine seasons. As the Sounders’ all-time leader in minutes both in the regular and postseason, Alonso started all six of the Sounders’ matches in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Alonso also led MLS with 2,795 touches (more than 400 ahead of second place), 2,214 passes (more than 250 ahead of second place), 2,012 passes completed (nearly 300 ahead of second place) and a 93.33% passing accuracy.
“We are bringing in one of the best, most competitive and tenacious defensive midfielders in the league,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “The first thing we heard when speaking with players, front office staff and coaches about Ozzie was that he is a leader, he won’t accept losing. As we move into Allianz Field we know we need to be better and we are bringing in a player that can help us achieve our goals on the field and someone who can help develop a mentality with our players in the locker room. ”
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.
If you’re ready to stand and cheer, the best way to make sure you’ll be in Allianz Field in 2019 is to become a season ticket member with supporters season tickets. Fans can also join The Preserve, the official Allianz Field waiting list and enjoy benefits now. For more information, visit mnufc.com.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs Osvaldo Alonso from waivers; Minnesota United trades a second-round pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft and the fourth spot in the waiver order to Orlando City SC for the top spot in the waiver order and two fourth-round picks in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
VITALS
Osvaldo Alonso
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 11.11.1985
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 155
Last club: Seattle Sounders
Hometown: San Cristobal, Cuba
Citizenship: United States
Previous Experience: Charleston Battery (USL-1, 2008); FC Pinar del Rio (Cuba, 2005–2007), Seattle Sounders 2009-2018
