Louis Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 The Cuban international recently had a week long trial. He plays for Seattle Sounders. He trained with the reserves but when he was asked to train with the first team he was told to play on the right wing which surprised him as he's not played there before. Interesting story about him here: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2008/jul/12/sweet_freedom47294/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 (edited) Christ, we do LOVE to scrap the barrell don't we? Edited December 15, 2010 by Romey 1878 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubantoffee Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Hi, do you have any more information on how he did? They also had another player from Seattle, Zakuani, who actually plays on the wing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twbarrett Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Hi, do you have any more information on how he did? They also had another player from Seattle, Zakuani, who actually plays on the wing. Thanks to the wonder of Google, I found this topic. I am a Sounders fan (living in Seattle) and thought I might shed some light on Alonso. Ozzie came to the Sounders as one of their first signings in their inaugural season. He had spent two seasons playing for a rival minor league team in the USA after failing to stick on an MLS roster. He has been voted the team's MVP by the players for two consecutive seasons playing STRICTLY as a defensive holding midfielder. In fact, after his return from injury this past season, the Sounders finished the season 10-2-2 in their last 14 games, as well as securing a second consecutive domestic cup (qualifying them for our Champions League). His size will probably prevent him from playing that position at a much higher level than MLS, but he is amongst the best in our league. Alonso is a great tactician and has an excellent volley. He has not scored many in his two seasons, but is always a threat from outside the box on failed clearances and the like. He is a great tackler and has great vision. I'm surprised to read that he was playing on the wings with you guys. Either way, it is exciting for us to hear that our players are training with EPL teams, even if it isn't as a trialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thanks for the insight TW . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twbarrett Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thanks for the insight TW . no problem! His commitment to our team has been phenomenal. As a Cuban defector, he no longer has the ordinary drive to be part of his national team. His club team is his only professional commitment, and it shows in his play. Any word on how he performed in training? I'm also curious about Zakuani, who is widely considered to be a couple of seasons away from a (relatively) high-profile transfer out of MLS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubantoffee Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Glad to hear Seattle fans like Ozzie. When you say that his size might prevent him from playing at higher level, do you mean he is not strong enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twbarrett Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Glad to hear Seattle fans like Ozzie. When you say that his size might prevent him from playing at higher level, do you mean he is not strong enough? ] He is listed on soundersfc.com as being 5'11" and 165lbs. I do my best to follow the EPL, and even though that doesn't make me an expert on player's personal statistics I would have to believe that those measurements would make him under-sized as a holding midfielder. He does very well and competes for balls in the air, but 2 inches of height and 20lbs or so would put him in an entirely different class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubantoffee Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 ] He is listed on soundersfc.com as being 5'11" and 165lbs. I do my best to follow the EPL, and even though that doesn't make me an expert on player's personal statistics I would have to believe that those measurements would make him under-sized as a holding midfielder. He does very well and competes for balls in the air, but 2 inches of height and 20lbs or so would put him in an entirely different class. That sounds to me like average size. I think the biggest issue is getting used to the speed of the game, but with his positioning I think he could make it. He would not be a starter but could be a squad player. What do you think of Zakuani? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 We have plenty of holding midfielders, we really don't need another, and especially one who is unlikely to even come close to challenging the ones already here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubantoffee Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 We have plenty of holding midfielders, we really don't need another, and especially one who is unlikely to even come close to challenging the ones already here. I agree that they have plenty of holding midfielders. The fact he is there makes me think that Heitinga and probably somebody else(Pienar) are on their way out. Maybe Moyes will start to play Arteta further up and stop wasting his talent trying to turn him into Xavi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 I agree that they have plenty of holding midfielders. The fact he is there makes me think that Heitinga and probably somebody else(Pienar) are on their way out. Maybe Moyes will start to play Arteta further up and stop wasting his talent trying to turn him into Xavi. You think this fella would challenge Fellaini and Rodwell then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubantoffee Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 You think this fella would challenge Fellaini and Rodwell then? In my opinion he would probably be a squad player at Everton. Fellaini needs to get back to the way he was playing before the injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 In my opinion he would probably be a squad player at Everton. Fellaini needs to get back to the way he was playing before the injury. If we do sign him I hope he doesn't go the same way of the last unknowns we signed from America. I assume we'd have to actually buy him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubantoffee Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 If we do sign him I hope he doesn't go the same way of the last unknowns we signed from America. I assume we'd have to actually buy him? I think if they decide to sign him, it would be a loan with a view to a permanent move. The last two americans that Moyes brought in were from the developmental leagues (USL) or whatever they are called. This guy has a little more seasoning having played at the MLS and internationally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twbarrett Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 (edited) I think if they decide to sign him, it would be a loan with a view to a permanent move. The last two americans that Moyes brought in were from the developmental leagues (USL) or whatever they are called. This guy has a little more seasoning having played at the MLS and internationally. It is hard to say what the impetus was to bring him in, as is the case with most trialists. If the squad is already rife with holding midfielders it is unlikely that Everton will make an offer. Add to that his importance to the Sounders squad, and it looks to me like an English vacation in the offseason And what is up with all the damn snow!? All I had on TV this weekend was French games. EDIT: His contract is held by MLS and the Sounders, much like Donovan's is held by the league and the Galaxy. Edited December 20, 2010 by twbarrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 I think if they decide to sign him, it would be a loan with a view to a permanent move. Then I really don't see the point if that's the case. He won't play a game for us for any one to judge if he could cope with this league, be better than what we already have, fit into our style of play etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubantoffee Posted December 20, 2010 Report Share Posted December 20, 2010 Then I really don't see the point if that's the case. He won't play a game for us for any one to judge if he could cope with this league, be better than what we already have, fit into our style of play etc. Time will tell. I think he might be one those players that he might bring in for cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1382888/Tottenham-boss-Harry-Redknapp-scouts-Espanyol-forward-Dani-Osvaldo.html Arry and Davie at the same game apparently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 (edited) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1382888/Tottenham-boss-Harry-Redknapp-scouts-Espanyol-forward-Dani-Osvaldo.html Arry and Davie at the same game apparently... Matt, that's a different player! Edited May 3, 2011 by Romey 1878 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowensda Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 Matt, that's a different player! I thought that! Considering this 'new' guy is of Italian/Argentian decent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 (edited) Matt, that's a different player! ................................. I was trying to keep TT tidy, Osvaldo is hardly a name you hear every day! Fuck. Its just going to be that kinda week isnt it? Edited May 3, 2011 by Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowensda Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 Yurp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted December 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2011 http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/7379788/Cuban-claims-English-interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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