Last Nights Training Session With Cuban Defector Reynier Alcantara
Filed under: Cuba, MLS
Pretty cool thing happened last night at our Hollywood United training session in Manhattan Beach when Cuban defector Reynier Alcantara showed up to train and stay fit ahead of his confirmed upcoming trials with the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes.
I got a chance to speak against him afterwards for a few minutes about everything he’s been going through (a 7 day bus trip from the East Coast) and his excitement at the opportunity of just a chance to take the next step in his life, becoming a professional soccer player.
Very good guy.
Great interview about how things went down and his outlook on the situation of his fellow Cubans.
Here’s a look at his goal against Panama in the Gold Cup.
And his opening goal against Mexico.
image via Cache
Reinier-Alcantara is a 26 year old Centre forward for the Cuban National team. He played his first professional soccer match at the age of 15 when he was signed by F.C. Pinar Del Rio in Cuba. He has appeared for Cuban national squad Under 17, Olympic team, under 23 and in 2005 appeared for the first time in the Cuban National squad as a striking striker. He was the top scorer in 2007 Digical Cup and has caped more than 90 national games with 50 goals under his belt. His goal against Mexico’s national team at Giant Staduim gave him much needed rescpect for cuban soccer. The Cuban Football Federation officialy denied comment when he defected the team before a game in RFK Stadium against the US for a World Cup 2010 qualification but sources say that his loss is a big blow to the Cuban squad and considered to be the best striker cuba has turned out in years. MLS’s Discovery list should be out first week of December, 2008 and lets see if Seattle has him on thier list since the new expansion team gets the first pick……
I saw this guy play at Giants Stadium last year and he is really good! Unfortunately, Cuban soccer is unknown to most of us here but from what I saw at the game the Cuban team was giving Mexico a really hard time! Their physical strength and condition was clearly noticeable and Alcantara #18 is a real fast striker who can play to the finish. I think he can certainly do well in MLS and will only improve as time goes on.
If his play matches all the reviews, here’s hoping he lands in SJ.
Galindo’s possible departure from Chivas could open up a position for a fast striker like him. Wonder if the Chivas coach wants another cuban on the squad? I don’t know if SJ would be in his best interest!
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