It’s easy to see why many people are heaping praise on the Sounders. With a perfect record, a potent attack, and a steady defense, Seattle’s newest team has had a dream start to their inaugural season.
In terms of outstanding players, striker Fredy Montero and goalkeeper Kasey Keller have received the majority of praise from sports writers thus far.
Although he may not score many goals, defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso has been one of the most consistent and important players for the Sounders in their first two games.
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A tough, gritty player, Alonso has provided the Sounders with an unparalleled intensity on both sides of the ball. Whether it be his crucial interception and pass to Sebastian Le Toux which resulted in Seattle’s first ever goal, or his sliding tackles that disrupted both New York and Salt Lake’s transition game, Alonso has been a key component in the first two wins of the season.
Alonso exudes toughness with his tackling, often dispossessing skilled offensive players at exactly the right time to stop counterattacks.
One of the reasons for Seattle’s two clean sheets has been Alonso’s ability to disturb players such as Javier Morales for Real Salt Lake with his ability to strip the ball from both sides with sliding tackles. Alonso has the ability to get the ball first no matter which angle he approaches from, resulting in clean, tough tackles that frustrate the opposition.
Road to Seattle
A native of Cuba, Alonso defected to the United States in 2007. Already a member of the Cuban National Team, Alonso and his teammates traveled to Texas for an international match against Honduras.
However, when the team went to a local Wal-Mart, Alonso slipped away from his teammates and never looked back.
After a trial with Chivas USA in 2007, Alonso turned down a developmental contract and signed for the Charleston Battery in the USL. Alonso scored eight goals, winning Rookie of the Year honors, and opened the eyes of Sounders management, resulting in his first MLS contract.
Going into the season, Alonso was a bit of an unknown commodity for the Sounders. However, after two regular season games and an impressive preseason, he has shown his worth to the club with his intensity and workmanlike attitude.
With Freddie Ljungberg healthy and Peter Vagenas also coming off the injured list, starting berths in the center of midfield may be hard to come by as the season progresses. With that being said, Alonso should continue to start, even if it means reduced minutes for a player like Brad Evans or Vagenas because Alonso's all-around game, particularly his defensive mindset, is essential for the Sounders to maintain their defensive solidarity.
Also, Alonso has provided a steadying influence for young superstar Montero. Along with Jhon Hurtado, Alonso has been a calming influence on the Spanish-speaking Montero, providing some comfort for the young Colombian as he settles into life in Seattle.
There may not have been a better latin trio in MLS so far this season than Alonso, Hurtado and Montero, and keeping them together in the starting lineup seems practical if the Sounders are to continue their extraordinary start to the season.
While the majority of fans and writers will continue to pay tribute to the exploits of Montero and Keller, just remember to applaud Alonso as well, even if his influence does not show up on the scoresheet.
Reach Alden Walcon at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
