Osvaldo Alonso

2027 Nominee: Players Category

A member of Sounders FC’s inaugural MLS squad in 2009, Alonso spent 10 seasons in Seattle, establishing himself as one of the league’s most dominant defensive midfielders. Known as “The Honey Badger” for his tenacious playing style, the longtime captain helped the club capture six major trophies: four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups (2009-2011, 2014), the 2014 Supporters’ Shield and 2016 MLS Cup. A 2012 MLS Best XI selection, Alonso earned four consecutive MLS All-Star selections (2011-2014) and five Sounders FC MVP honors (2010-2013, 2016), both club records in the MLS era. With 339 appearances in Rave Green across all competitions, he ranks fourth in Sounders history across all eras, trailing only Stefan Frei, Cristian Roldan and Zach Scott.

Combining elite ball-winning ability with exceptional distribution to anchor the midfield, Alonso consistently ranked among MLS’s leaders in completed passes and tackles during his early years in Seattle. His standout 2016 campaign saw him lead the league in completed passes, tackles won and duels won, helping propel Sounders FC to its first MLS Cup championship. Born in Cuba, Alonso defected while representing his country at the 2007 Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States, eventually obtaining his U.S. citizenship in 2012. In 2024, he returned to sign a ceremonial one-day contract and retire as a Sounder.