Jurgen Klinsmann: Cuba standing in the way of Osvaldo Alonso on the USMNT

Jurgen Klinsmann: Cuba standing in the way of Osvaldo Alonso on the USMNT
April 13, 2013
Jeremiah Oshan
MLSsoccer.com
USA TODAY Sports

SEATTLE — If Jurgen Klinsmann had his way, Osvaldo Alonso would have
already been called into United States national team camp.

Unfortunately, the Cuban federation has not exactly been cooperative in
accomodating Alonso's release, Klinsmann said during halftime of the
Sounders-Revolution game on Saturday.

"We need their help in a certain way to get him cleared," Klinsmann told
reporters. "It is a more of an administrative and governmental issue,
which we on the technical side have no influence over."

READ: Sounders, Revs finish in scoreless draw in Seattle

Although Alonso became a US citizen last year, he has appeared for the
Cuban national team in a FIFA-sanctioned competition and is therefore
ineligible to play for another country. But since he defected in 2008,
Cuba have not allowed him to play for their team, and Alonso has
requested a waiver to allow for a switch.

If it does happen, Klinsmann would be more than happy to make use of
another defensive midfielder.

"Every player that you follow and plays on a consistent high level is of
interest to us," Klinsmann said. "I think Ozzie did that over the past
two years. He really made himself known as a strong No. 6, a very good
team player, a player that is always there for his teammates in a role
similar to Kyle Beckerman at Real Salt Lake.

"You know you just hope you can make something happen for him. We can't
bring him in until this topic is solved."

READ: Despite U.S. citizenship, Alonso still a long way from US call

Alonso is, unsurprisingly, hoping something happens sooner than later.

"I know the situation is complicated and that there has been
conversation," he said through a translator. "My only hope is that
through the work that is happening right now that I'll have a chance to
play for the national team."

Alonso's performance on Saturday surely didn't do anything to change
Klinsmann's mind. Alonso completed a season-high 108 of his 116 passes
and was by far the most active player on the field in the Sounders' 0-0
tie with the New England Revolution.

"He helped recover a lot of ball," Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid said.
"He was good and he was active. We talked about that, with that always
being the hallmark of his game and never deviating. He did his job. He
won the ball, played it on and guys have to do their job from there."

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