SEATTLE - It was a special journey for one of the greatest Cuban soccer players of all time. As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Seattle Sounders, the Rave & Green honored one of the best players in club history in a fashionable manner. The Cuban Osvaldo 'Ozzie' Alonso will officially retire from professional soccer as a Sounders player, after spending 10 of his 15 years in MLS as a key member of the squad that won six major trophies, including the 2016 MLS Cup.
A midfielder whose best attributes were his tenacity and a never-quit mentality, Alonso arrived to the United States in 2007 as part of the Cuban national team that was set to play in the Gold Cup. After finding his calling in U.S. soccer, he defected from Cuba and began his professional career in USL. A wonderful season with Charleston Battery granted the Cuban a move to new MLS franchise Seattle Sounders FC.
