Osvaldo Alonso's father will watch son play vs. Galaxy

If it's at all possible for Osvaldo Alonso to gain motivation for a match, he'll likely have some when the Seattle Sounders face the LA Galaxy in front of a fully open CenturyLink Field on Sunday. Alonso's father will get to see his son play in person for the first time since the midfielder defected from Cuba eight years ago.

finally my dad is here with me, very happy.

— Osvaldo Alonso (@OzzieAlonso) September 29, 2015

Alonso has not seen his father in person since at least 2007. Alonso's father was actually working in Venezuela at the time of the defection and found out that he may never see his son during an emotional phone call.

In the time since Alonso defected, he's gone from lonely refugee to one of the more highly regarded defensive midfielders in MLS. Along the way, he's managed to bring over his girlfriend (now wife), mother and sister while becoming a U.S. citizen.