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Minnesota United has announced their second signing of the offseason today, securing the signature of defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso via waivers. Reports from The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio suggest the deal is a two-year guarantee for $650,000 per season; to make his contract compliant with league rules, Minnesota recieves two 2019 fourth round Superdraft picks and sends a second round pick in 2020 to Orlando City SC in order to get to the top of the waiver order. in addition, Minnesota and Orlando swapped spots on the waiver order, following league policy.
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) January 10, 2019
Alonso, known around the league as the “Honey Badger,” had previously played for the Seattle Sounders from 2009-2018 where he was a 4 time All-Star, a 1 time MLS Best XI, a winner of 4 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s, an MLS Supporter’s Shield and an MLS Cup in 2016.
“We are bringing in one of the best, most competitive and tenacious defensive midfielders in the league,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “The first thing we heard when speaking with players, front office staff and coaches about Ozzie was that he is a leader, he won’t accept losing. As we move into Allianz Field we know we need to be better and we are bringing in a player that can help us achieve our goals on the field and someone who can help develop a mentality with our players in the locker room. ”
Alonso is an MLS veteran who will bring lots of experience to the midfield, where we will join up with the teams newest Designated Player, Jan Gregus. Accompanying those two in the midfield will still be Rasmus Schuller, Colin Martin and Ethan Finlay; the midfield finally has the depth it needs to compete.
With the addition of Alonso, the Loons roster sits at 20 players, however, we expect at least two to be loaned out to the teams USL affiliate, Forward Madison FC. Additionally, that includes Sam Cronin, whom we have not heard an update on since this past fall. We will update you if his status changes, so for now, consider the senior roster at 17 players. The team still needs to add two goalkeepers and at least two to three first-team rated defenders.
This signing comes with less than a month until preseason begins. It would be ideal for the club to fill out the roster before preseason begins, but Supporters and media alike will have to wait and see what happens next.