Erlys García

Erlys García Baró (born July 28, 1985 in Havana) is a Cuban footballer who currently plays for Orange County Blues in the USL Professional Division.

Career

Cuba

García began his career in his native Cuba, playing with Ciudad de La Habana in the Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba.

While playing for the Cuban U-23 national team in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Tampa, Florida, in March 2008, García—along with several other members of the team—defected to the United States under the wet foot dry foot scheme that allows Cubans who reach U.S. soil to obtain asylum.

United States

Following several unsuccessful trials with clubs such as FC Tampa Bay, García found his way to Los Angeles, and played in various LA-area amateur leagues before signing with the Los Angeles Azul Legends of the USL Premier Development League in early 2010. He made six appearances for Azul during the regular season.

In February 2011, García signed with the expansion Los Angeles Blues of the new USL Professional Division. The club announced on November 10, 2011, that Garcia would return for the 2012 season.

International

In addition to playing with the Cuban U-23 national team, García also obtained two caps with the full Cuban national team prior to his defection, in two friendies against Guyana in 2008.