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Lehi » It's a story that Jason Kreis loves to tell when talking about Tony Beltran, and loves to repeat when confronted with a player who is struggling.
Two years ago, Beltran, in his second year as a Real Salt Lake defender, was trying out for the Under-20 U.S. National team. He was told that he was cut, but was given the option of showing up the next day for additional training, along with several others who were cut.
The next day, Beltran was the only one to attend. He impressed and got the call to join the team when another player was injured. He went on to make the team and become a stalwart.
"He could've given up and given in to the disappointment," Kreis said. "But he kept fighting, and he was able to move forward."
In a career that has taken on ups and downs, Beltran has persevered through the tough moments and has taken advantage of every opportunity given.
He began the year as a starter, then went a span of games without playing. Instead of sulking, Beltran worked his way back into the rotation, and has done his best to make the case for starting for the remainder of the season.
Beltran's been the hub of a defense that's played exceptionally well of late. He's hesitant to praise himself, and is quick to point out that RSL's improvement on the defensive side of the ball has been a team thing and not a Tony Beltran thing.
But Beltran, in RSL's road win over the
"I think this year has to be attributed to hard work," Beltran said. "I had gone through the league for a year, and I know a little bit more what to expect. I just came into this season thinking that this season was going to be better than the last season."
It's something that has served him well, Beltran's maturity and outlook of the game. This was the player who scored on his own goal last season. The blunder was the result of a hustle play, and not anything that may have been avoided on Beltran's part. But it was still a terrible moment for him none the less.
But Beltran was able to put that behind him. He was able to realize that the most important attribute of a professional athlete may be the ability to stay sharp mentally. The physicality is what follows.
"There are a lot of guys who don't deal well with disappointment," Kreis said. "But those are the ones who don't make it. He had chances early in the season, but he got pulled. He went back in and, since he's done it, he's been very strong. On this team, you have to earn your time every week, but he's earning his position. He's got real quickness. He's a good tackler, and he gets in on attacks."
» Was the third pick in the 2008 MLS draft.
» Played his college soccer at UCLA and St. John's.
» Made his MLS debut on April 12, 2008, in a 4-0 win over DC United.
