ATLANTA, GEORGIA—The Atlanta United FC management made a significant move in the Major League Soccer offseason, the team signed free agent midfielder Osvaldo “Ozzie” Alonso to a one-year contract with a club option for 2023.
United FC announced on Thursday that they successfully signed the 13-year MLS veteran to a contract.
Before the signing, Alonso played for the Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United.
Alonso has never missed the MLS Cup Playoffs in his entire career.
He also spent 10 seasons in Seattle and won six trophies, including the 2016 MLS Cup.
He played the last three seasons with Minnesota United.
“We’re pleased Ozzie has chosen to sign with us in free agency,” Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said.
“A proven leader, Ozzie is one of the most respected and decorated players in our league. His veteran presence on the field and in the locker room will be a great addition for our club,” Bocanegra added.
Alonso, 36, joined MLS in 2009 with Seattle. Over the last 13 seasons, he has amassed 338 careers MLS Regular Season appearances, 317 starts, and a total of 27,911 minutes played. He has another 30 career appearances with 28 starts in MLS Cup Playoffs, ranking in the top 25 in MLS history in each of those five categories. During his time in Seattle (2009-18), the Sounders went to 10 consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs, highlighted by winning the club’s first MLS Cup trophy in 2016, as well as its first MLS Supporters Shield in 2014. Alonso also helped lead Seattle to four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), in which he played every minute in each of the four finals. He played alongside Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda from 2014-15 and for him during 2017-18 when Pineda was an assistant coach for the Sounders.
Before joining MLS 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. He also played three seasons (2005–07) for FC Pinar del Rio, winning the Cuban championship in 2006.
Internationally, Alonso represented Cuba 17 times at the senior level and scored two goals. He made his debut for the senior Cuban National Team in a Caribbean Nations Cup match against the Turks & Caicos Islands in September 2006. Alonso served as captain of the U-23 National Team during qualification for the 2008 Olympics. He gained full U.S citizenship on June 16, 2012.
