Career
Professional
Cartaya defected to the United States from Cuba just after his team"s Olympic qualifying game against the United States on March 11, 2008, along with several teammates, including Yendry Diaz. Cartaya apparently slipped out of his hotel in the middle of the night and traveled by car to West Palm Beach. After several unsuccessful trials with various Major League Soccer clubs, Cartaya signed with the Real Maryland Monarchs in the USL Second Division on April 15, 2009.
International
Cartaya has two caps for the senior Cuba national football team, both in friendlies against Guyana in February 2008.
