CARSON, Calif. - For both Lester More and Osvaldo Alonso, the path to freedom took a few steps.
But their respective journeys to Chivas USA were considerably longer.
More, 28, and Alonso, 21, joined Chivas USA on Tuesday after a three-day cross-country bus trip. The Cubans left their national team on separate days during last month's CONCACAF Gold Cup and have joined the Major League Soccer side for a trial, an opportunity for each to realize his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.
"We're happy to be here," More said after Tuesday's training session. "The worst is over. We're here to train and hopefully things work out well."
Neither More (a forward) nor Alonso (an attacking midfielder) participated in training with the team. Rather, the duo jogged around the training field while the club ran through several short-sided games.
"They had a long trip and (Tuesday) was just a day for them to get their legs back and hopefully they'll be able to train," Chivas USA coach Preki said.
On Friday, More and Alonso boarded a Greyhound bus in Miami destined for Los Angeles. It was not until Monday evening that the two finally arrived in southern California, where they were greeted by team administrator Kevin Esparza as well as countrymen Maykel Galindo, who left the Cuban national team during the 2005 Gold Cup in Seattle.
The players took in a night of bowling and afterward rested up at a local hotel.
Now that they have an opportunity in front of them, More and Alonso are in position to determine their own futures. That wasn't necessarily true in their lives before.
"I wanted a change," More said. "The hardest part was leaving my family but I'm here now and I want to play soccer. I have dreams of playing professionally and to show my worth at this level."
More left the Cuban national team in New Jersey. Alonso walked away from the squad in Houston.
For Alonso, the hard part wasn't making the decision to leave.
"I'd thought about doing this for a while. I didn't talk to anybody about it, any teammates or anyone. My family didn't even know I was going to do this. It was a decision I made a long time ago," Alonso said. "The Gold Cup is every two years and I wasn't going to wait for the next Gold Cup. This was my first one and I'm still a young guy so it was the best time for me."
During a team shopping trip to a Houston-area mall, Alonso quietly left his team and country behind.
"We'd been there for about an hour or so and the rest of the players were paying for their items," Alonso explained. "I just walked out of the store, walked about seven or eight blocks and I went up to somebody, asked him if he spoke Spanish and he told me he did. I asked him to borrow his cell phone and I called a friend in Miami. He told me to catch a Greyhound to Miami."
Through it all, Alonso said he was emotional.
"I left the mall and I was very scared. I was all alone in Houston and I didn't know the language or the city, anything," Alonso said. "But everything worked out well and hopefully the soccer part of it will come together as well."
Chivas USA officials said receiving proper paperwork could be a long and involved process. But before they start worrying about red tape and immigration status, the players need to show they are capable of helping the team.
"It's going to be up to them," Chivas USA co-owner and president Antonio Cue said. "They are going to have to earn it on the field. This is about soccer and for players to show their worth on the field. That's why we have given them the opportunity. We are happy they are here, but those who win spots here are those who know how to play. It's that easy. It doesn't matter if they are Mexican, Cuban or American."
For his part, More said he would like to continue his recent good fortune.
"This is a great country," More said. "I love this country and this city is a beautiful. I think everything will work out."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
