Seattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who defected from Cuba in 2007, got news on Monday that he will see his father again after his dad was granted a U.S. visa to travel from the Caribbean island.
Today my father received the US visa, after eight years I'll be able to see him again, God bless ���� #veryhappy
- Osvaldo Alonso (@OzzieAlonso) September 14, 2015
U.S. President Barack Obama recently announced the easing of the relationship with Cuba with the U.S. reopening its embassy in Cuba last month.
Alonso traveled to the U.S. with the Cuban national team for the 2007 Gold Cup and defected in Texas, he told The Seattle Times.
"I always listened to my father when he told me, whatever you want to do, do it and it doesn't matter what happens," Alonso told MLSSoccer.com.
He said his father was eligible to apply for a travel visa in June.
Alonso trained with Chivas USA before ultimately opting to sign with the Charleston Battery of the USL. Before the 2009 season, an opportunity arose with the MLS expansion Sounders.