Yordany Alvarez
Encyclopedia
Yordany Álvarez is a Cuba
n footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake
in Major League Soccer
, on loan from USL Pro
side Orlando City.
in the Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba
.
While playing for the Cuban U-23 national team
in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Tampa, Florida in March 2008, Álvarez along with several other members of the team, defected to the United States under the wet foot dry foot scheme that allows Cubans who reach U.S. soil to obtain asylum.
, Álvarez was signed to a professional contract by the USL First Division
expansion franchise Austin Aztex
after attending the Aztex open tryouts in California in March 2009. He made his debut for the team on April 18, 2009, in Austin's USL1 season opener against Minnesota Thunder
. On January 21, 2010 renewed his contract by signing a three-year deal with the club. Prior to the 2011 season, new owners purchased the club and moved it to Orlando, Florida
, re-naming it Orlando City S.C.. The club will play in the USL Pro
league in 2011. At the end of the 2011 USL Pro
season, Álvarez signed with Major League Soccer
club Real Salt Lake
on a loan agreement..
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, on loan from USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
side Orlando City.
Cuba
Álvarez began his career in his native Cuba, playing with his hometown club FC CienfuegosFC Cienfuegos
FC Cienfuegos is a Cuban football club based in Cienfuegos, which currently play Cuban second division.-Notable players: Yordanis Álvarez Yenier Bermúdez Mario Pedraza Dany Luis Quintero Enrique Villaurrutia...
in the Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba
Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba
Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba is the top division of the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba, it was created in 1912.Despite being a league competition in CONCACAF, since 1990 none of the Cuban teams had played in CFU Club Championship or CONCACAF Champions' Cup till the CFU Club Championship...
.
While playing for the Cuban U-23 national team
Cuba national football team
The Cuba national football team is the national team of Cuba and is controlled by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba. They are affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF....
in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Tampa, Florida in March 2008, Álvarez along with several other members of the team, defected to the United States under the wet foot dry foot scheme that allows Cubans who reach U.S. soil to obtain asylum.
United States
Following an unsuccessful trial with Los Angeles GalaxyLos Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
, Álvarez was signed to a professional contract by the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
expansion franchise Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex
Austin Aztex FC was an American professional soccer team based in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 2008, the team played in the USL First Division, and in the USL Division of the USSF D2 Pro League, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
after attending the Aztex open tryouts in California in March 2009. He made his debut for the team on April 18, 2009, in Austin's USL1 season opener against Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
. On January 21, 2010 renewed his contract by signing a three-year deal with the club. Prior to the 2011 season, new owners purchased the club and moved it to Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, re-naming it Orlando City S.C.. The club will play in the USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
league in 2011. At the end of the 2011 USL Pro
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
season, Álvarez signed with Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
club Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...
on a loan agreement..