Forward Maykel Galindo scored a goal for the Cuban men's national soccer team in a CONCACAF Gold Cup game in July. Hours later he defected from his native land for a better future in the United States.

Galindo, 24, realized a big part of his dream last night, making his pro soccer debut in the U.S. as a starter for the playoff-bound Seattle Sounders (11-6-11, 44 points).

He made a difference with a strong offensive push, and defender Scott Jenkins — playing in his final regular-season match after announcing his retirement — scored in the 17th minute as the Sounders avenged last year's league-championship loss with a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact in a United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division match in front of 5,966 fans at Qwest Field.

"Part of leaving was for the sport and that I felt I had to take a risk for my family back home," Galindo said through interpreter Alex Zahajko, the Bothell High School boys and girls soccer coach with whom Galindo has lived the last two months. "That was my third time to the U.S. for the Gold Cup, and before I came I decided to make a new future for myself this time."

After Cuba lost 3-1 to Costa Rica in a July 9 game at Qwest Field, Galindo exited the team's hotel and boarded a Metro bus with hopes of pursuing his dream of pro soccer in the U.S. A plan hatched long ago led Galindo to the Sounders.

He rode the bus to its final stop, then handed the driver a piece of paper with the name and phone number of Zahajko, Seattle's liaison and emergency contact for CONCACAF players from Cuba.

"I asked him on the phone if he was lost, and he told me, 'I want to stay,' " said Zahajko, who had only just met Galindo that day. "My wife said I better go get him, because he sounded so scared."

Fearing being returned to his native Cuba and sent to jail, Galindo executed his defection plan and has a hearing with immigration regarding his U.S. citizenship set for Nov. 29. The U.S. Soccer Federation cleared Galindo to play in last night's game on Wednesday.

He signed an amateur contract for no pay with the hopes of gaining earning power later. Zahajko said that the average monthly wage in Cuba is $10.

"He eventually wants to send money back home to his relatives," Zahajko said.

Galindo recently reunited with Seattle Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who was a childhood friend in Cuba. He has attended Mariners games recently, but his focus was all soccer last night.

"He's shown signs of brilliance in practice," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said.

Galindo is waiting to tell his family in Cuba about playing for the Sounders until tomorrow, his grandmother's 74th birthday.

"I want it to be a surprise for her," he said.

Galindo came out of the match with cramps in his left foot in the 67th minute after launching two shots on goal and numerous dangerous runs.

Sounders goalkeeper Preston Burpo made a painful, game-winning save in added time as Lars Lyssand collided with Burpo as time expired. Burpo suffered a mild concussion on the play but still managed his 12th shutout of the season.