Solorzano Didn't Want to Come?

From the gimme a break category...

Reports now coming out of Costa Rica that Jean Carlos Solorzano not coming on trial was a decision "taken by the player" and that he is "very happy here and I prefer to concentrate on this and better not to travel, I'm young and I know I will have other opportunities."

Methinks someone in Costa Rica is blowing smoke. Either it's several news agencies who had previously interviewed the player and team representatives, or it's this latest report which just might have been made out of an effort to save face. You decide after reading this report (from the official website of the team, Alajuelense).

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Thoughts on Jean Carlos "Nico" Solorzano

Here are a few thoughts on Jean Carlos Solorzano from Alajuelense fans. The Costa Rican striker is reportedly scheduled to join Real Salt Lake for a trial in Florida beginning February 18th.

Jose…

”Answering your questions, can tell you that Jean Carlo is a very fast player. In his first games he was way too fast and without good control of the ball, but in the last two short tournaments he has improved this a lot, having a way better handling of the ball and keeping his speed. He fights for every ball, runs a lot, very good stamina, those are his characteristics. What type of striker he is?, I would say a mix of opportunist with fast penetration towards the goal, and good shot. This will be his first international experience so if he can manage that, you will have an excellente striker that we will sure miss a lot. Hope you can welcome him very well.”

Charlielc…

“He is really fast! I must say that he is not that strong, but he can run. He is also a warrior on the field. He never stops running and fighting for the team. It is a young player, and he is just starting in his career, but everyone make good comments about his attitude and speed.”

León…

“I think he can play very well with a classic "9". Solorzano is fast, so he can open spaces and make some good crosses to another forward.”

Pache…

“He is extremely quick and persistent. His pace is outstanding. He has scored a couple of header goals, but he mostly dribbles defenders to score. I'm not sure if he is ready to go to a foreign team yet b/ of his age but you never know what might happen. Personally I would compare his pace to Adebayor's and his style of scoring to Luis Fabiano's ( I guess...). He is a well rounded player and I'm sure that if he ends up staying in Utah the fans (there) will be very pleased.
On regard to his contract, I know that he just signed a 2 year extension with Alajuela, so if your team ends up wanting to keep him, they are going to have to pay us a transfer fee.“

arturocerv...

"well let me tell you some characteristics about solorzano he`s fast,and as pache said, he`s so quick and persistent. I think that solorzano It`s a good player i hope that he can stay with your team,and make a lot of goals. Maybe I would compare with thierry henry(maybe!!!!) in his running style. I think that if your team want solorzano services, they have to pay us for the transfer!!!!"

Oki...

"Solorzano is a good player, but he still needs to be polished. He is really fast and has a lot of heart. You can expect him to give it his all and a little more every game.

His shooting technique is good, heading technique is decent and dribbling skills are OK. If he could find a way to control his dribbling with his speed, he could become extremely dangerous.

He is at his best on the open field, taking the ball from just a little after midfield, instead of receiving it with his back to the goal. His quickness helps him to always be near any dangerous crosses his teammates may produce. I do believe he can perform better as a second forward and not as a pure striker.

At the moment, he is a good player with very interesting qualities. After all, he has been a starter on all youth national teams. If he can develop those qualities even further, it should make for an excellent forward."

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Player Profile: Kyle Beckerman

Kyle Beckerman

Position: Holding Midfielder
Date of Birth: April 23, 1982 (25)
Place of Birth: Crofton, MD
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: 165
Previous Clubs: Colorado Rapids, Miami Fusion
National Team Exp: United States (3 caps)
Jersey Number: #5
Current Status: Senior Roster
How Acquired: Traded from Colorado Rapids for Mehdi Ballouchi.

Personal summary: Likes to surf and play guitar. Has been spotted in the off-season in Costa Rica and other exotic locales.

Professional summary/highlights: Signed as a Project 40 member in 2000 and was then claimed by the Miami Fusion. Only played in 1 game with Miami before suffering a broken leg. Was then claimed by Colorado the next season in the dispersal draft. Started most of the games in his 6 seasons with Colorado registering 10 goals and 16 assists. Was traded in 2007 to Real Salt Lake for Mehdi Ballouchy.

Webpages/Myspace/Facebook:

Youtube/video links: Goal (versus NYRB), US MNT One-on-One (Must see), Player Profile w/ Dunseth (Must see), AYL Double Talk (with Robbie Findley)

Other links: MLS Player profile: Kyle Beckerman/MLSnet, Wikipedia Page: Kyle Beckerman/Wiki, AYL Podcast (Rocky Mountain Cup edition), AYL chat

Keepin It Real Expectations for 2008: While there are a few questions about the midfield for this season, one thing that’s for sure is that Beckerman will be in the mix. Many would argue that his natural position is as a true defensive midfielder. I like him in this role, but I’d like to see him have a little more freedom to help support the offense. He will start most if not all games, and if Talley is in the lineup he’ll push out wide, otherwise he’ll be locking down the opponent just in front of the defense.

Fans Scorecard Rating: Beckerman Rating

Interesting Fact/tidbits/quote: Played the #10 as a youth, before converting to a defensive midfielder in the MLS.

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