Seattle Sounders star Osvaldo Alonso insists he will not be sitting back and relaxing now he is a Designated Player.
The 28-year old Cuban-born midfielder won his fourth-straight Sounders MVP last year and was rewarded with a much-improved contract at the end of 2013.
Upon receiving his new status, Alonso knows very well that he cannot afford to rest on his laurels as he goes about his usual business in preparing for the 2014 MLS campaign.
"I'm very happy for the team giving me the new contract, the DP contract, but I have to play the same," Alonso said.
"It's a contract, you know? I try to play my best every time I step on the field and give the best for my team. That's the most important thing for me.
"I'm focused now on playing my game, like I've done every year. It happened this year (the DP deal), so I don't care if it happened a couple years ago or now - it happened now."
