Alejandro Portal Explained

Alejandro Portal
Fullname:Alejandro Miguel Portal Oliva
Birth Date:21 October 1995
Birth Place:Quivicán, Cuba
Height:1.76 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Simcoe County Rovers
Years1:2013–2015
Clubs1:Mayabeque
Years2:2016–2017
Caps2:27
Goals2:4
Years3:2017–2018
Clubs3:Cienfuegos
Caps3:19
Goals3:0
Years4:2018
Clubs4:Pinar del Río
Years5:2019
Clubs5:La Habana
Years6:2021
Clubs6:Vaughan Azzurri
Caps6:1
Goals6:0
Years7:2021
Clubs7:HFX Wanderers
Caps7:10
Goals7:0
Years8:2022
Clubs8:Vaughan Azzurri
Caps8:16
Goals8:1
Years9:2023–
Clubs9:Simcoe County Rovers
Caps9:20
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2015–2019
Nationalteam2:Cuba
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:0
Pcupdate:2 September 2023
Ntupdate:9 September 2021

Alejandro Miguel Portal Oliva (born 21 October 1995) is a Cuban professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Simcoe County Rovers in League1 Ontario.

Early life

Portal was born in the town of Quivicán, located south of Havana.

Club career

Portal began his career with second-division Torneo de Ascenso side Mayabeque in 2013. In 2015, he moved up to the Campeonato Nacional with Isla de La Juventud, making 27 appearances and scoring four goals over two seasons. In 2017, he joined Cienfuegos, making nineteen appearances over two seasons. He spent 2018 and 2019 with Pinar del Río and La Habana, respectively.

In 2020, he began training with League1 Ontario side Vaughan Azzurri and made his debut as a substitute against Darby on 20 August 2021.[1]

On 9 September 2021, Portal signed his first professional contract with Canadian Premier League side HFX Wanderers.[2] [3] He made his debut on 18 September against York United FC.[4] He departed the club at the end of the season.[5]

In 2022, he returned to playing for Vaughan Azzurri.[6]

In February 2023, he signed with the Simcoe County Rovers in League1 Ontario.[7] [8]

International career

Portal made his debut for the Cuba national team in a 2015 friendly against Nicaragua. He returned to the team four years later for a friendly against Bermuda in 2019. He was later selected for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad, where he appeared in all three matches for Cuba.

After Cuba's 6–0 loss to Canada during CONCACAF Nations League qualifying in September, he defected into Canada along with Andy Baquero.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alejandro Portal 2021 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario.
  2. Web site: Dylan. Lawrence . Halifax Wanderers signs Cuban Canadian Midfielder Alejandro Portal . . 9 September 2021 . 9 September 2021.
  3. Web site: Wanderers Add Cuban International Alejandro Portal. September 9, 2021. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  4. Web site: Alejandro Portal: Late Addition Brings Heart and International Experience. November 3, 2021. HFX Wanderers FC. Jonathan. Briggins.
  5. Web site: Halifax Wanderers Announce Six Player Departures. November 22, 2021. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  6. Web site: Alejandro Portal Oliva 2022 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario.
  7. Web site: Simcoe County Rovers Add Former Cuban Internationals Benitez And Portal. February 14, 2023. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  8. Web site: Alejandro Portal 2023 L1O Stats. League1 Ontario.
  9. News: Report: Five Cuba national team players defect during Nations League. Major League Soccer. Alicia. Rodriguez. 9 September 2019. 30 October 2020.
  10. Web site: Former Cuba Internationals Set To Face Toronto FC In Stadium Where 'New Life' Began. April 24, 2024. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.