Jean Alexander has the physique to be a quality MLS attacking midfielder. The San Jose Earthquakes have gambled that the former Real Salt Lake draft choice has the psyche as well.

RSL traded Alexandre, 25, a first round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, to San Jose for a first-round pick in the 2012 Supplemental Draft, which comes after the two-round SuperDraft.

“He’s the one who stood out for me on the [Re-Entry] list,” San Jose coach Frank Yallop told MLSsoccer.com. “One way to guarantee no one else gets him is to take him before the whole thing starts. We want to get players we like. To make sure we got him was important.”

Alexandre scored 34 goals in 69 games for Div. II Lynn University, but could not crack RSL's lineup on a consistent basis. When RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey said a number of players didn't take advantage of opportunities provided by injuries this year, one has to believe that Alexandre was part that list.

The muscular Alexandre believes this is a new opportunity. He's certainly going to get the chance to show his touch.

“It’s an opportunity for me to be able to go to a new team and play a lot more,” Alexandre said. “I have great respect for Kyle Beckerman — he truly is a one-of-kind player — but it was definitely tough [to sit]. I kept my head up, worked hard and still put in the effort.”

martyr@sltrib.com
Twitter:@Rsltribune