Alonso defected from the Cuban national team during the 2007 Gold Cup and in 2008 joined the Charleston Battery, a team in the USL (third division of North American soccer). A year later he was signed by the Sounders, and since then he has been the player who turns the team's axes.
Cuban soccer players have little exposure due to the restrictions that exist for those who play for Cuba`s national team. However, there are some like Ariel José Martínez Camacho who dare to go beyond their limitations.
Several players of the Cuban national team have sought a better future and take advantage of coming to the United States to defect and stay in the North American country. Cases such as Osvaldo Alonso's have been exceptional, as the Cuban midfielder has become one of the key players for the Seattle Sounders.
Alonso defected from the Cuban national team during the 2007 Gold Cup and in 2008 joined the Charleston Battery, a team in the USL (third division of North American soccer). A year later he was signed by the Sounders, and since then he has been the player who turns the team's axes.
The same fate could befall Ariel José Martínez Camacho, who is considered the "Cuban Messi".
Martinez was the "10" of the Cuban national team during the last Gold Cup 2015 and decided to stay in the U.S. after the group stage of the tournament. Now, the "Cuban Messi" lives in Miami, played like Alonso for the Charleston Battery and as of this week is on trial with the Houston Dynamo of the MLS.
"My plan is to play in MLS and succeed as a professional in the United States, that's what I stayed for," said Ariel José Martínez Camacho. "I had the opportunity to play with the Battery, a team that helped me get my papers in order, and although it was only a few minutes it was a great experience. I have the doors open to play with them again next season.
According to Martínez, he has been training for a few weeks with the Sounders, where Alonso plays, and after the trial with the Dynamo he will try to secure his stay in the MLS. Ariel José Martínez Camacho also told a Miami newspaper that Ponte Petra of Brazil was interested in him, but that the Cuban Federation never responded to the South American club's requests.
"In Cuba there is talent and soccer is the number one sport among the youth, but to develop it, it is necessary to allow playing abroad and to have more international exposure, otherwise the players will continue to stay," he said. "In this Gold Cup I decided to stay once the team qualified [to the quarterfinals]. Once we beat Guatemala, I felt that I had done my job and that it was time".