Cuban Osvaldo Alonso continues one more season with Minnesota United FC

March 9, 2021

The veteran Cuban midfielder Osvaldo Alonso will continue for one more season with Minnesota United in what will be his thirteenth campaign in the Professional Soccer League (MLS) of the United States.

Alonso is back for his third season with Minnesota United FC after the team announced this Saturday the return of the veteran 35-year-old player.

The Cuban player, considered a top-tier defensive midfielder in MLS history, has played 314 matches with 12 goals and 25 assists since the 2009 campaign when he arrived at the MLS, where he has been selected to the All-Star Game four times.

"We have managed to retain a player who I believe has been the best in his position over the last 10 years in the MLS," said Minnesota United FC coach, Englishman Adrian Heath, in a statement. "You look at the makeup of the player and it is more than just his ability, there have been many players with abilities who fell by the wayside and never had a career."

Heath praised Alonso's professionalism and the way he has managed to pace his qualities and physical condition to remain an elite player.

"Ozzie has maximized everything he has had: his talent, his personality, his leadership qualities and his professionalism. It is 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," Heath emphasized.

Alonso initially joined the MLS with the Seattle Sounders, helping the Pacific Northwest club win four U.S. Open Cups and one MLS Cup (2016) and Supporters' Shield (2014) each.

In 2020, Alonso helped Minnesota advance to the Western Conference Final before losing to his former team.

Alonso dealt with injuries during the 2020 campaign, limiting him to nine starts.